Jacksonville’s autonomous bus project NAVI completes first year; JTA CEO Nat Ford to resign in January 2027

Jacksonville Transportation Authority‘s autonomous public transport service NAVI has completed its first year of revenue operations, carrying more than 15,200 passengers and logging over 61,000 autonomous miles since its launch in June 2025.

Introduced on 30 June 2025 as the first phase of the agency’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) program, NAVI is presented as the first permanent autonomous public transportation service in the United States operating in revenue service.

A few days later, on July 6th, JTA announced that Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. will resign effective 8 January 2027, concluding more than 13 years leading the agency. Ford said he plans to continue working on innovative mobility solutions but did not announce his future role. He will remain in office through January 2027 to support the transition, while the JTA Board of Directors is expected to discuss the succession process at its next scheduled meeting on 29 July.

Autonomous mobility is no longer a concept of the future—it is delivering real-world transportation solutions today. What started as a bold idea has become a national model. The lessons we are learning in Jacksonville are helping define how autonomous technology can be safely integrated into public transportation systems throughout the United States.

Nat Ford, CEO, JTA

During Ford’s tenure, JTA also launched the Ultimate Urban Circulator program and attracted HOLON’s first U.S. autonomous vehicle manufacturing facility, a $200 million investment planned for Jacksonville, as announced in late 2025. Within this deal, reportedly, Holon Urban will be integrated into the JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) program, with up to 100 shuttles deployed in Downtown Jacksonville in several phases. Additional pilot projects are planned in other U.S. locations from 2026.

NAVI records first year of autonomous public transit operations

According to JTA, NAVI transported more than 15,200 passengers during its first year of operation. The autonomous fleet accumulated over 61,000 miles in autonomous mode, while monthly ridership reached 989 passengers in May 2026.

Throughout the year, the service operated during major special events, roadway construction, changing traffic patterns and more than 80 route detours. JTA also states that NAVI attracted transportation agencies, policymakers, technology companies and international delegations seeking information on large-scale autonomous public transport deployment.

The autonomous service forms the first implementation phase of the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) program and is supported by JTA’s Autonomous Innovation Center together with a network of public and private partners focused on autonomous mobility technologies.

Nat Ford to leave JTA after more than a decade as CEO

Ford’s resignation concludes a tenure during which JTA delivered several major transportation projects. These include the First Coast Flyer bus rapid transit system, described by the authority as the largest BRT network in the southeastern United States, the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, the Route Optimization Initiative, and the expansion of JTA’s regional services across Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties, including the restoration of the St. Johns River Ferry.

According to JTA, the agency also secured more than $400 million in federal discretionary grants and supported the extension of a local option gas tax generating $1 billion for regional transportation infrastructure.

In brief

• When did NAVI enter service? NAVI began revenue operations on 30 June 2025 as the first phase of JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator program.
• What operational results has NAVI achieved? JTA reports more than 15,200 passengers carried and over 61,000 autonomous miles during the first year of service.
• When will Nat Ford leave JTA? His resignation becomes effective on 8 January 2027.
• When will the JTA Board discuss the CEO succession? The next scheduled Board meeting is on 29 July.

“As the nation’s first permanent autonomous vehicle public transit service, NAVI represents a major milestone in the evolution of public transportation. One year ago, the JTA transformed a bold vision into reality, launching a service that is helping shape the future of mobility not only in Jacksonville, but across the United States,” said Nat Ford, CEO of the JTA. “Since launch, NAVI has completed over 15,200 passenger trips and traveled more than 61,000 autonomous miles, all while maintaining an exceptional safety record with no safety incidents caused by the autonomous system. These results demonstrate that autonomous mobility is no longer a concept of the future—it is delivering real-world transportation solutions today. As we continue advancing the Ultimate Urban Circulator program, Jacksonville remains at the forefront of innovation, helping shape the next generation of safe, accessible, and scalable public transportation for communities across the country. What started as a bold idea has become a national model. The lessons we are learning in Jacksonville are helping define how autonomous technology can be safely integrated into public transportation systems throughout the United States.”