The First Coast Flyer BRT Downtown Project, nearly six miles long with 12 stations, is the initial segment of a five-phased BRT system planned for the Jacksonville region. The new service will operate in dedicated lanes during peak hours for a portion of the route.
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), local and federal officials, including U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, celebrated the groundbreaking of a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system that will improve transit options in the greater Jacksonville, Fla. area and offer faster, more convenient access to downtown.
“Bringing bus rapid transit to this community will connect residents to work, education and other opportunities while making it easier than ever for residents to access downtown Jacksonville and beyond,” said Secretary Foxx. “We’re proud to celebrate this milestone – but we must do more. We are committed to working with Congress to find bipartisan solutions that will help Jacksonville and other communities continue to invest in and enhance their transportation infrastructure in the years ahead.”
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The First Coast Flyer BRT Downtown Project, nearly six miles long with 12 stations, is the initial segment of a five-phased BRT system planned for the Jacksonville region. The new service will operate in dedicated lanes during peak hours for a portion of the route.
The BRT project offers riders an alternative to congested roads, and a faster commute to such downtown employers as Baptist Hospital, Suddath Relocation Systems and the new Duval County Courthouse, as well as to businesses in the Riverplace Tower and the Prudential building.
The initial downtown BRT line costs $13.4 million, with $9.3 million provided by FTA. JTA and the Florida Department of Transportation provided the remaining funds.
JTA is seeking federal funds for the next two planned BRT segments — the 9.4-mile North corridor and the 11.1-mile Southeast corridor. Both projects are advancing through FTA’s Capital Investment Grant Program. JTA estimates that the entire BRT system will cover 55 miles and cost approximately $132.3 million.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
Coalition leaders outline priorities for preserving bus funding, maintaining competitive grants, and ensuring flexibility for transit agencies nationwide.
In the coming months, the parties will develop an interlocal agreement for the city’s annexation into Community Transit’s district. The proposal will be considered by the Everett City Council and the Community Transit board this fall, said officials.
Two battery-electric buses entered service on Earth Day, with four additional vehicles expected to join the fleet this summer. Seven more buses are planned for the end of 2027, bringing Metro’s total zero-emission fleet to 13.
A 5% rise in deliveries and a surge in zero-emission buses signaled progress in 2025, but high costs, long lead times, and shifting funding priorities continue to cloud the outlook.
The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.
The project was awarded under the Washington State Contract, enabling FAX to streamline its procurement processes while ensuring value and quality from an experienced transit solutions provider, said officials.
The historic initiative represents the first time since MARTA began bus operations in the early 1970s that the entire system has been redrawn from scratch.
