Better Together

Meet Gary – The Heartbeat of the JTA

Connexion Operator Gary starts his day before sunrise with one goal, making sure every rider gets where they need to go safely and with care. From pre-trip inspections to assisting customers door-to-door, he provides more than a ride.

He offers dignity, compassion, and connection for our paratransit community. For Gary, it’s about making a difference in someone’s day and being someone Connexion customers can rely on.

Showcasing the Future of Mobility

Leadership Nassau

We recently welcomed Leadership Nassau, a program through the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, for a visit focused on ongoing mobility studies shaping the future of our region.

The group visited the JRTC to hear from JTA leadership on the progress of initiatives including the Nassau Transit Study and discuss the U²C Phase II – Skyway Rehabilitation & Downtown Service Expansion PD&E Study, followed by a tour of our Autonomous Innovation Center to see innovation in action.

We appreciate the opportunity to connect with regional leaders and share how we’re working to enhance mobility across Northeast Florida.

APTA Legislative Conference with JTA Leadership

JTA Board of Directors Vice Chair Patricia Gillum Sams and Board Members Alan Hopkins and Madelen Salter joined CEO Nat Ford at the 2026 APTA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.—a gathering of industry leaders and federal policymakers focused on shaping the future of public transportation.

Throughout the conference, JTA leadership engaged directly with key stakeholders to advocate for policies and investments that strengthen mobility, support innovation, and advance transportation systems nationwide.

While in Washington, CEO Nat Ford—who serves as Chair of APTA’s Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (AVI) Committee— led the committee’s meeting, guiding strategic discussions on scaling autonomous mobility, advancing workforce development, and aligning on a focused 2026 work plan to accelerate deployment across the industry.

The JTA is proud to play a leading role in the national dialogue—helping to define the future of mobility through innovation, partnership, and forward-thinking leadership.

CoMotion 2026

At CoMotion 2026, JTA CEO Nat Ford joined two key panels:

• AI-Powered Mobility: Intelligent Infrastructure & Autonomous Systems

• Scaling Next-Generation Mobility: From Pilot Programs to Everyday Service

Across both discussions, the focus was clear: moving from innovation to real-world implementation at scale. Ford highlighted the JTA’s leadership as the first U.S. public transportation agency operating autonomous vehicles in revenue service, emphasizing the importance of system integration, policy alignment, workforce readiness, and public trust.

His core message: scaling next-generation mobility is fundamentally an operational challenge—one that requires disciplined execution, strong partnerships, and a focus on safe, measurable performance in everyday conditions.

The takeaway: the future of mobility isn’t coming—it’s here. The priority now is executing it reliably and at scale.

Did You Know? NAVI

In this DYK episode, JTA Chief Innovation Officer Bill shares insights and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about NAVI, our Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation service, including:

🚙 What is NAVI?
🦺 Is NAVI safe?
👀 Why is there an attendant currently on board?

Hear directly from our team and see how we are committed to bringing safe, affordable, and forward-thinking mobility solutions to Northeast Florida.

New Connexion Uber-Opt In Program

Our new Connexion Uber Opt-In Program we introduced last month, gives eligible Connexion customers more flexibility with a curb-to-curb transportation option that requires no advanced booking!

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Fare – $3.50 per trip
✅ Voucher Discount – Up to $20.00 per trip
✅ Up to 10 trips per week (issued Mondays, no rollover)

Trips must take place within Duval County during Connexion service hours (5 a.m. to 12 a.m.) and are available to eligible Connexion customers who have opted in. Riders are responsible for any fare over $20, and trips can be booked directly through the Uber app.

Learn more about the program here: Learn More!

Earth Day Clean Up

For Earth Day, our JTA team rolled up their sleeves for a community cleanup in LaVilla, helping keep the neighborhood clean and beautiful for all. Volunteers gathered at JRTC and our Myrtle Avenue Campus to clean up the areas around our facilities and everywhere in-between.

These small actions make a big difference in our community and we’re proud to support a cleaner, greener Jacksonville.

The 5th Annual Autonomous Vehicle Conference

The JTA and Guident will host the 5th Annual Autonomous Vehicle Conference (formerly National Autonomous Vehicle Day) on May 29, 2026, at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC) in Boca Raton, Florida.

This is your chance to meet and hear from public transportation agencies, operators, and technology leaders from across the U.S. who are working to advance autonomous systems from pilot to scalable deployment.

2026 Programming Highlights:

🗣️ Executive keynotes including Seval Oz from the U.S. Department of Transportation
🎤 Industry panel discussions
📊 Deployment case studies
📡 Live technology demonstrations
🤝 Public-private collaboration sessions
🌐 High-level networking

To register or for more information, click below:

Register Today!

Celebrating Our Employees Accomplishments

Each month, the JTA recognizes employees who exemplify dedication, professionalism and service to our community.

March 2026 Employees of the Month

• Operator: Henry Griffin, Bus Operator since 1991

• Maintenance Employee: Carlton Rivers, Maintenance Utility Employee

• Administrative Employee: Brandon Mack, Special Projects Manager II

Congratulations to all of our team members for their dedication and commitment to making a difference every day. Their contributions continue to strengthen the JTA and the community we serve.

JTA News Making Moves

• First Coast News, April 14, Uber vouchers offered to Jacksonville disabled to save money, ease ridership on Connexion Plus

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