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.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
