On June 1, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) welcomed U.S. Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology Seval Oz to Jacksonville for a special visit recognizing both the nation's transportation legacy and its future.

During the event, the JTA unveiled a commemorative America250 wrapped bus honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and America's semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.

The event brought together local and federal leaders, including JTA Board Chairman Aundra Wallace, JTA CEO Nat Ford, and Assistant Secretary Oz, to commemorate the nation's historic milestone while highlighting Jacksonville's leadership in transportation innovation.

“From the launch of NAVI — the nation’s first permanent autonomous public transportation service operating in revenue service — to the continued advancement of the [Ultimate Urban Circulator] U²C Program, Jacksonville is demonstrating how forward-thinking communities can leverage innovation to improve safety, expand accessibility, strengthen economic opportunity, and build a more connected future for all,” said Nat Ford, CEO of the JTA.

America250 Bus Debuts as JTA Highlights Autonomous Progress

Following the unveiling, Assistant Secretary Oz toured the JTA's Autonomous Innovation Center (AIC), the operations and maintenance hub supporting the U²C Program, and experienced a ride aboard NAVI.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the progress being made in Jacksonville as the JTA continues advancing autonomous mobility from pilot projects to real-world public transportation operations.

"This is a significant milestone, and in the past year we’ve had several transportation agencies from across the country come to see what we’re doing here," Wallace said. "None of this could be done without the partnerships with all levels of government."

The America250 commemorative bus will travel throughout Jacksonville over the coming year, serving as a mobile tribute to the nation's 250th anniversary and helping build awareness of commemorative activities leading up to July 4, 2026.

The event also comes as the JTA prepares to celebrate another historic milestone later this month: the one-year anniversary of NAVI, which launched revenue service on June 30, 2025, and “has established Jacksonville as a national leader in autonomous public transportation.”

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the JTA remains committed to honoring the nation's transportation legacy while advancing innovative mobility solutions that will help define the next generation of transportation.