A waste of money or an efficient way of transportation? The Duval Doge Committee is questioning the value of JTA’s autonomous shuttles, the NAVI.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A waste of money or an efficient way of transportation? That’s the question the Duval DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) Committee asked about JTA’s new NAVI program during its one and a half hour special meeting Tuesday.
The NAVI shuttles, short for neighborhood autonomous vehicle innovation, currently make 12 stops, connecting neighborhoods to the business core and Downtown’s sports and entertainment district.
Duval DOGE brought up potentially troubling data — in August, the NAVI had just 86 daily riders. In September, it grew 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.