Florida’s Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) marked the first anniversary of NAVI (Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation) — the nation’s first permanent autonomous public transportation service operating in revenue service.

During its first year of operation, NAVI has transported over 15,200 passengers and traveled more than 61,000 miles in autonomous mode without a safety incident caused by the autonomous driving system.

The service carried 989 riders in May 2026 alone, reflecting growing public adoption and confidence in autonomous transportation.

JTA’s NAVI System

Launched June 30, 2025, NAVI has moved autonomous vehicle technology beyond limited demonstrations and pilot projects into daily public transportation operations.

As the first phase of the JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) program, NAVI has demonstrated how autonomous vehicles can safely and reliably serve residents, workers, and visitors in an urban environment.

“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,” said Nat Ford, JTA’s CEO. “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.”

Throughout its first year, NAVI successfully operated in real-world conditions, including major special events, roadway construction, changing traffic patterns, and more than 80 route detours, while maintaining reliable service for customers.

The service has also attracted transportation leaders, policymakers, technology innovators, and international delegations seeking to learn from Jacksonville’s experience deploying autonomous mobility at scale.