(Jacksonville, FL – June 2, 2026) Yesterday, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) welcomed U.S. Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology Seval Oz to Jacksonville for a special visit recognizing both the nation's transportation legacy and its future.

During the event, the JTA unveiled a commemorative America250 wrapped bus honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and America's semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.

The event brought together local and federal leaders, including JTA Board Chairman Aundra Wallace, JTA CEO Nat Ford, and Assistant Secretary Oz, to commemorate the nation's historic milestone while highlighting Jacksonville's leadership in transportation innovation.

Assistant Secretary Oz’s visit underscores the important role Jacksonville is playing in shaping the future of transportation,” said Nat Ford, CEO of the JTA. “As our nation prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, we are proud to showcase how innovation, technology, and public transportation are coming together to redefine mobility for the next generation. From the launch of NAVI—the nation’s first permanent autonomous public transportation service operating in revenue service—to the continued advancement of the U²C Program, Jacksonville is demonstrating how forward-thinking communities can leverage innovation to improve safety, expand accessibility, strengthen economic opportunity, and build a more connected future for all.”

Following the unveiling, Assistant Secretary Oz toured the JTA's Autonomous Innovation Center (AIC), the operations and maintenance hub supporting the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) Program, and experienced a ride aboard NAVI, the nation's first permanent autonomous public transportation service operating in revenue service.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the progress being made in Jacksonville as the JTA continues advancing autonomous mobility from pilot projects to real-world public transportation operations.

"This is a significant milestone and in the past year we’ve had several transportation agencies from across the country come to see what we’re doing here." Said JTA Board Chair Aundra Wallace. "None of this could be done without the partnerships with all levels of government."

The America250 commemorative bus will travel throughout Jacksonville over the coming year, serving as a mobile tribute to the nation's 250th anniversary and helping build awareness of commemorative activities leading up to July 4, 2026.

The event also comes as the JTA prepares to celebrate another historic milestone later this month: the one-year anniversary of NAVI, which launched revenue service on June 30, 2025, and has established Jacksonville as a national leader in autonomous public transportation.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the JTA remains committed to honoring the nation's transportation legacy while continuing to advance innovative mobility solutions that will help define the next generation of transportation.

Gallery of photos from the visit:
https://brandfolder.com/s/vxmvf8bsvks8j5vq9wcfjz3c

###

About the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is an independent state agency serving Jacksonville, Florida, and Northeast Florida with multi-modal responsibilities. The JTA provides varied mass public transit services and builds roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to enhance mobility in Jacksonville. Public transportation services include BRT and regular bus service, Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (NAVI), paratransit, the St. Johns River Ferry, Skyway APM, and other mobility and on-demand services in Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. To learn more, visit www.jtafla.com.

Media Contact:
For media inquiries, please contact:

Lynn Opperman
AVP – Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
lopperman@jtafla.com
(904) 676-7225