JTA History

1955

• Jacksonville Expressway Authority (JEA), is formed by the Florida State Legislature.

1956

• Riverside Interchange section of the Jacksonville Expressway opens to traffic connecting the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Stockton exit.

1958

• First automatic tolls are installed on the Fuller Warren Bridge.

1959

• Southside link to the Jacksonville Expressway opens.

1960

• Two expressway links open at one time Clark Road to U.S. 17 near Imeson Airport and Myrtle Avenue to U.S. 1.

1963

• Construction of the Commodores Point Bridge (Isaiah David Hart Bridge) begins.

1966

• JEA approves construction of Atlantic Boulevard.

1969

• Isaiah D. Hart Bridge opens.

1970

• The Jacksonville Area Planning Board and the Jacksonville Expressway Authority meet jointly four times per year to coordinate planning for the City’s highways and expressway system.

1971

• Construction begins on Florida State Road 202 (J. Turner Butler “JTB” Boulevard).

• The Jacksonville Expressway Authority becomes the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) by the Florida Legislature as it enters the bus business.

1974

• JTA introduces the Park-n-Ride program opening the first lot at JTB and A1A served by an express flyer bus.

1976

• Dial-A-Ride Transportation (DART) paratransit service begins.

1979

• The final 7.3-mile stretch of J. Turner Butler Boulevard opens to traffic.

1984

• JTA implements its first ever restructuring of the bus system with new routes, schedules, stops and signage.

1985

• JTA receives more than $23 million from Urban Mass Transportation Administration to build the Automated Skyway Express.

1988

• Tolls at the Mathews Bridge, Fuller Warren Bridge, Hart Bridge, Trout River Bridge and J. Turner Butler Boulevard are removed.

1989

• Dames Point Bridge, officially named the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge, opens to the general public.

• The Skyway starter line, spanning seven-tenths of a mile, begins operations.

1990

• After years of debate, a route for the Wonderwood Expressway is finalized.

• JTA implements a new Trolley service.

1994

• The main transfer hub for JTA, FCCJ station, opens.

1995

• JTA begins the Stadium Shuttle Service providing transportation service to and from Jaguars games.

1997

• JTA implements the Bikes on Buses program.

1998

• Skyway service operating between Hemming Plaza and FCCJ Skyway stations and across the Acosta Bridge to San Marco opens.

2002

• JTA celebrates the opening of the Atlantic Boulevard/Mayport Flyover and intersection improvements.

2003

• JTA adopts a three-year Strategic Plan that includes a revised mission statement and core values to guide how the agency conducts business.

2004

• The Wonderwood Bridge opens to traffic.

2005

• JTA celebrates 50 years of service to the community.

• Provides more than 450,000 trips on Stadium Shuttle and Skyway services during the four-day Super Bowl event.

2006

• Heckscher Drive is widened from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway.

• JTA widens Argyle Forest Boulevard from two lanes to four.

2009

• The first JTA Community Shuttle begins service in Arlington.

• Beach Boulevard Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway opens to traffic.

2010

• JTA introduces new JTB/I-95 ramps.

2011

• JTA completes the Atlantic Kernan Interchange.

2012

• JTA launches the STAR electronic payment fare collection system.

• Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., becomes the new JTA CEO.

2013

• Skyway reaches a one-million trip milestone.

• JTA starts Bikes on Skyway pilot program.

• JTA introduces hybrid electric buses into the fleet.

2014

• JTA wraps its first Skyway train with artwork.

• Skyway accommodates 90,177 trips during the One Spark crowd-funding festival.

• Local option gas tax (LOGT) is extended to 2036 for the funding of transit and road projects.

• JTA breaks ground on First Coast Flyer (FCF) bus rapid transit.

• Blueprint for Transportation Excellence (BTE) is announced as JTA’s 20-year strategic plan.

• JTA moves administrative headquarters to 121 W. Forsyth Street downtown.

2015

• JTA issues $100.5 Million in series 2015 revenue bonds.

• Groundbreaking on Compressed Natural Gas facilities.

• Baldwin Park-n-Ride lot opens.

• CEO received the White House Champions of Change Award.

• Launch of the MyJTA mobile ticketing app.

• Connexion relocates to the Myrtle Avenue campus.

• Opens FCF-Green Line on the North Corridor.

• Began Campus Master plan for Myrtle Avenue campus.

2016

• JTA’s Compressed Natural Gas station opens on Myrtle Avenue campus.

• Old St. Augustine Road roadway project opens to traffic.

• JTA assumes ownership and operations of the St. Johns River Ferry.

• JTA receives APTA’s 2016 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.

• Soutel Transit hub opens.

• The JTA Stadium Shuttle rebrands to the Gameday Xpress.

• Armsdale Park-n-Ride opens.

• Opens FCF-Blue Line on the Southeast Corridor.

• The JTA receives Florida Public Transportation Association System of the Year Award.

2017

• Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center groundbreaking.

• Broke ground on JTAMobilityWorks Collins Road project

• Began construction on Phase I and Phase II of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center.

• Moved into the development phase of the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) Program.

• Completed Phase I and Phase II of the St. Johns River Ferry repairs and improvements, including new slip walls and fender systems.

• In a partnership with the Cultural Council, public art was installed on the Skyway columns along Hogan and Bay Streets.

• Launched Route 82 which provides direct shuttle service between the Armsdale Park-n-Ride and the Amazon Fulfillment Center Warehouse on Pecan Park Road.

• Launched the Autonomous Vehicle Test and Learn track.

2018

• Launch of JTA See & Say app.

• Held the inaugural Partner-2-Partner (P2P) Sunshine Forum.

• Unveiled the Gen 2 autonomous vehicle at test track.

• Hosted APTA Fare Collections & Revenue Management Conference.

• Ribbon cutting for the Intercity Bus Terminal (IBT)

• Launched JTA University.

• USDOT awarded $12.5 million BUILD grant for the Bay Street Innovation Corridor.

• Completed Mandarin Walk sidewalk project.

• Groundbreaking held for Kernan Boulevard JTAMobilityWorks project.

• First Coast Flyer Red Line (East Corridor) begins service from Downtown to the Beaches.

• Nassau Express Select begins service from Nassau County to Downtown Jacksonville.

• Avenues Walk Park-n-Ride Center becomes operational.

• ReadiRide on-call transportation begins service to five zones within Jacksonville.

• JTA receives FPTA's Bus Safety Excellence Gold Bus Gold Safety Award.

• Mr. Ford inducted into First Coast Business Hall of Fame.

• JTA receives 2018 Community Partner Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

2019

• Completed JTAMobilityWorks Girvin Road project.

• Launched Clay Community Transportation Flex Route and TD service.

• Dames Point Bridge celebrates 30-year anniversary.

• Hosted FPTA Florida Triple Crown Bus Roadeo.

• JTA wins top award of Urban Grand Champions at the Florida Triple Crown Bus Roadeo.

• FTA awarded JTA $16.6 million for CFC BRT Orange Line project.

• Skyway celebrates 30-year anniversary.

• Mr. Ford receives the "Thought Leader" Award from the ENO Center for Transportation.

• Hosted the APTA TBM-TBA Seminar.

• Completed three projects as part of a Safe Routes to School: Brentwood Elementary, Livingston Elementary and Butler Middle schools.

2020

• JTA hosts U2C Industry Forum.

• Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla opens.

• JTA launches the U2C Transit-Oriented Development Pilot.

• JTA completes JTAMobilityWorks Kernan Boulevard project.

• FTA awards JTA $52 million passenger ferry grant.

• JTA receives $11.9 million bus and bus facilities grant.

• APA names Mr. Ford 2020 Outstanding Public Transportation Manager.

• JTA, Beep and Navya autonomous shuttle helps Mayo Clinic transport COVID-19 tests.

• JTA, FSCJ execute agreement for AV testing, educational initiatives.

• JTA opens the JRTC at LaVilla Produce Market.

• Groundbreaking held for First Coast Flyer Orange Line (Southwest Corridor).

• JTA receives FPTA Outstanding System of the Year Award.

2021

• JTA updates on-site air purification system.

• JTA partners with Agape Family Health to launch "Wellness on Wheels" mobile vaccination clinic.

• U.S. Green Building Council certifies the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center as a LEED Gold facility.

• JTA begins Clay Community Transportation Green Line.

• Goodyear, Local Motors, Beep, & JTA partner to test airless tires on autonomous vehicles.

• JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. appointed Chair of Transportation Research Board Executive Committee.

• JTA partners with Corner Lot Living for Transit-Oriented Development.

• JTA and Duval County Public Schools partner to launch free rides through My Ride 2 School.

• JTA launches Ride to Health initiative; helps transport seniors and healthcare workers to vaccination sites for free.

• Groundbreaking held for JTAMobilityWorks McDuff Avenue-5th Street project.

• Groundbreaking held for JTAMobilityWorks Alta Drive project.

2022

• JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. begins term as Chair of Transportation Research Board Executive Committee.

• JTA awarded $15.4 million U.S. Department of Transportation sustainability grant to support fleet improvement.

• JTA hosts Zero Emissions Forum for discussions on the future of zero-emissions transportation.

• New MyJTA mobile app launches on October 24, 2022.

• JTA completes MobilityWorks project on McDuff Avenue and 5th Street.

2023

• JTA hosts UITP North American Forum in downtown Jacksonville.

• JTA Board of Directors approves 10-year contract to expand paratransit & alternative service delivery.

2024

• JTA and FSCJ announce launch of autonomous vehicle initiative on downtown campus.

• Jacksonville Transportation Authority begins MobilityWorks 2.0 infrastructure initiatives.

• Jacksonville Transportation Authority announces major upgrades to northwest Jacksonville bus stops.

• Jacksonville Transportation Authority announces MyJTA “best fare” policy change and improves no-cost ride ID requirements for senior citizens.

• JTA announces groundbreaking of Autonomous Innovation Center (AIC).

• Holon to establish autonomous shuttle manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida, pioneering the future of mobility in the United States.

• The JTA welcomes Cinotti’s bakery and Grounds of Grace Coffee to the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center.

2025

• The JTA celebrates completion of MobilityWorks 1.0 program, two years ahead of schedule with San Pablo Road ribbon-cutting ceremony.

• The JTA opens Autonomous Innovation Center, unveils service name for autonomous vehicle program.

• The JTA launches nation’s first public transportation autonomous vehicle revenue service.

• The JTA announces “Ride to Train,” offers free rides to trade school students.

• The JTA’s Gameday Xpress sets record ridership during Jacksonville Jaguars Monday night football home game.

• The JTA board of directors meet, host delegations from Germany and Japan

• Holon seals partnership for new production facility in Jacksonville – milestone for urban mobility and local economy.