Is U2C serious? Help me make it make sense....

[marcuscnelson]

It's not clear to me what exactly they mean by "replacing" in this case. It's especially strange when the system seems to be a relative success in ridership and the work to improve reliability should be done next year. Once the mechanical improvements are complete the main issue should be replacing the vehicles, which should be pretty easy (the exact vehicles that would likely be used are currently being delivered to Tampa's airport to upgrade their APM systems). Plus planning seems to be underway on the much-needed expansion to Miami Beach. Commissioner Regalado's idea would add a pretty needless level of complexity to the system for little benefit. If they want to charge fares they can do that (though ridership will likely suffer for it) but trying to hamfist some kind of PRT system onto the Metromover makes no sense.

I didn't see Miami discussing a concern to refund dollars to the Feds in this article assuming they were funded in the same manner as the Skyway.  Will be interesting to watch.

None of the vague ideas mentioned would affect that, since they all (so far) still end with some kind of elevated transit system. I believe the current vehicles were locally funded, so federal refunds shouldn't be an issue either.

[jaxlongtimer]

Interesting interview with co-CEO of Waymo upon 10 million driverless rides.  Talks about Waymo vs. Tesla, too.  Waymo uses LIDAR, Tesla doesn't.  Will U2C use LIDAR?  Waymo doesn't think AV's are safe without it.  Been at this for 16 years and over 50 million miles.

Waymo also being asked by cities, states, countries to bring their AV's to them.  So, again, why do we need U2C?

Waymo's co-CEO on 10 million driverless rides and Tesla's coming robotaxi challenge

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/05/21/waymo-co-ceo-on-10m-driverless-rides-and-teslas-robotaxis.html

[marcuscnelson]

^ Yes, the U2C/NAVI will use LiDAR, on the Ford vans and (assuming they ever enter service) the Holon Movers. They made a big deal years ago about "sensor fusion" using a combination of radar, LiDAR, and cameras.

[urban_]

https://youtu.be/SyyEnTW3XlQ?si=weWepLEfZ0ZL7HaR
"The worst transit project in North America"
Making us look good 
If something stops this, hopefully it will be that the 2025 deadline will come and the fed will pull the funding for it. I'm not sure how else this madness stops, as the mayor and the city council seem dead set on allowing the U2C to continue.

[Charles Hunter]

Well done, he even got the history of the JTA and the Skyway right. I'll even forgive an early reference to the "Jacksonville Transit Authority" in the video.

[jaxlongtimer]

https://youtu.be/SyyEnTW3XlQ?si=weWepLEfZ0ZL7HaR
"The worst transit project in North America"
Making us look good 
If something stops this, hopefully it will be that the 2025 deadline will come and the fed will pull the funding for it. I'm not sure how else this madness stops, as the mayor and the city council seem dead set on allowing the U2C to continue.

The cynicism and sarcasm in the video are right on.  JTA and City Hall should be embarrassed by this globally reviewed (see the comments from around the world) coverage.  Basically, it says the emperor is naked and only the transit leaders in Jacksonville can't see it.

By the way, I have yet to find one city leader involved in the urban core or transit related agencies that privately thinks U2C has any merit.  All I get are eye rolls and a knowing look this is a boondoggle of giant proportions.  Yet, most of them keep their opinions to themselves by virtue of their positions.  If more people came out from behind the curtain, the likely tidal wave of opposition might kill this sooner than later and save the taxpayers hundreds of millions and spare the City more embarrassing videos like the one cited here.  More such publicity is likely on the way otherwise.

U2C will join the Skyway in giving mass transit projects in Jacksonville a black eye, likely delaying approval of any truly good solutions due to the credibility gap that may take a generation to overcome.

[thelakelander]

The Skyway may as well be the DC Metro compared to the U2C. It's really a big bad joke and colossal waste of good earned local tax money.

[urban_]

Is there any real risk to public figures coming out against this project? Does Nat Ford have any chance of retaining office, even if the administration changes parties? It's hard for me to understand why this guy is still employed.

[marcuscnelson]

The news flew under the radar a little (shocker, I know), but JTA has announced the launch date of NAVI (the U2C program's Bay Street Innovation Corridor): Monday, June 30th, 2025. This comes after a ribbon-cutting the previous Friday.

What the people of Jacksonville will witness on that Monday is the culmination of eight and a half years and tens of millions of dollars in development, a period of time and amount of money often invested into developing major fixed guideway projects. The question now will finally become whether having done all of that was worth that time and money. All will stand witness to the pinnacle of JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.'s career. I guess we will see how that goes!

[Charles Hunter]

The news flew under the radar a little (shocker, I know), but JTA has announced the launch date of NAVI (the U2C program's Bay Street Innovation Corridor): Monday, June 30th, 2025. This comes after a ribbon-cutting the previous Friday.

What the people of Jacksonville will witness on that Monday is the culmination of eight and a half years and tens of millions of dollars in development, a period of time and amount of money often invested into developing major fixed guideway projects. The question now will finally become whether having done all of that was worth that time and money. All will stand witness to the pinnacle of JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.'s career. I guess we will see how that goes!

I hope the Sheriff is ready to handle the crowds that will surely form, as hordes of people gather to ride.

[thelakelander]

I'm willing to bet that there will be more JTA employees and consultants hoping to get a job from JTA than members from the public at that grand opening.

[jax_hwy_engineer]

My buddy and I were at Bold City Downtown on Friday and saw these jokers being driven around. Even walked by the van stop shelter, which has an info board and a credit card reader. A JTA security car came by and I asked "does it cost money?" and she replied "I don't know?!?" super helpful 

Such a wasteful project. Who would want to ride this? Especially if it cost oodles of taxpayer money AND requires a fare to ride!

At the very least it's a blessing this autonomous vehicle still requires a driver so they can chase the bums off it, as opposed to the skyway, where if you hop on with a bum, you're locked in where nobody can hear you scream

[tufsu1]

^ It appears the NAVI will be free through September 30. I had heard previously it would cost about the same as normal bus routes, so maybe that starts October 1.

[thelakelander]

Lol, it would attract more riders if JTA would pay people to use it!

[Charles Hunter]

^ It appears the NAVI will be free through September 30. I had heard previously it would cost about the same as normal bus routes, so maybe that starts October 1.

What is the current JTA bus fare?