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Is it a financial blunder or a revolutionary transit solution? This pressing question has been highlighted by the Duval DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) Committee as they scrutinize the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s (JTA) autonomous shuttle initiative, known as NAVI.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Is the investment in JTA’s NAVI program justifiable, or is it an extravagant expenditure? This was the central topic during a special meeting held on Tuesday by the Duval DOGE Committee, which lasted for an hour and a half.
The NAVI shuttles, an acronym for neighborhood autonomous vehicle innovation, offer a service that links various neighborhoods with the city’s central business area and the downtown sports and entertainment district, stopping at 12 designated points along the way.
The committee has raised doubts about the substantial financial investment in these autonomous shuttles, questioning if the return on investment is sufficient given the program’s reportedly low usage rates.
Data presented by Duval DOGE reflects potential concerns: in August, the NAVI service recorded a mere 86 daily passengers. This figure saw a modest increase in September, with daily ridership climbing to 128.
Committee members asked Ford how much value these blue shuttles provide to the city.
First Coast News’ Bilyana Garland spoke with Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford over the phone. He said he didn’t have specific expectations when NAVI first hit the streets, considering it’s the first of its kind in the United States.
While Ford argues future development downtown could push more people to ride the shuttles, some committee members are already calling the shuttles a waste of money.
“I think we should pull the plug on this. Let’s cut our losses, let’s go with the system that makes sense,” said committee member and Councilman Rory Diamond.
“The ridership will come when all the development is planned and some is underway and executed,” said Ford.
Although skeptical, Duval DOGE Chairman Ron Salem stopped short of calling for an end to NAVI.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to suggest that. I want more information, and I’m hopefully as these developments will pop up, the ridership will increase, and it will be a very successful program.”
More meetings are expected in the future to further analyze the program’s progress.
