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

[Jax_Developer]

Waymo & Robotaxi are here in 2025. This just isn't a city provided solution. This has always been a private market enterprise & only a few states GDP even come close to the Market Cap of the companies heavily invested in this.

[thelakelander]

When something like Waymo enters the local market, then what's the point of trying to experiement in mixed-traffic? Everything JTA thinks they are doing is already obsolete. The biggest loser is the local taxpayer as Holon still makes a killing by selling their experimental product to Jax before closing their warehouse down. 

If the plan were to run autonomous vehicles on grade-separated infrastructure or dedicated right-of-way, that would make more sense. At least, at that point, you're essentially using a different type of technology for physically separated vehicles/trams/trains, whatever. However, that's not what they're doing here.

[Ken_FSU]

I think almost all of us predicted this the moment the U2C "vision" came into shape. An expensive first-mile/last-mile solution, charading as mass transit, that would be relatively quickly made obsolete when the private sector found a way to do it better and cheaper thanks to economies of scale.

My new fear, if JTA leadership remains in charge, is that they'll try to block the private sector from coming into parts of Jacksonville with AV in attempts to protect their reckless investment. Then you've got the worst of both worlds.

Never thought I'd see the day where I agreed with Rory Diamond on something (though I don't agree with him about where dollars should be reallocated), but you can feel a nasty showdown, and potentially litigation, coming between City Council and the JTA. I don't think they're going to willingly abandon the $300 million Phase 2, and it seems dicey as to whether we can make them after we passed the gas tax legislation.

[marcuscnelson]

Looks like possibly another sucker has been born: Cobb County in Georgia leveraging a $6.6 million federal grant they were awarded this week to purchase 8 autonomous vehicles, which per renderings would be Holon urban shuttles. However, unless they have also found $40 million in the couch cushions to build an "Autonomous Innovation Center," they appear to be foregoing that expense somehow.

Seems also worth noting that JTA was not awarded a Bus Low- or No-Emissions Grant, despite $2 billion in grant awards and the transit agencies in Tallahassee, St. Petersburg, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale receiving millions in such awards.

[marcuscnelson]

Council member Rory Diamond says he's preparing legislation that would cut off city funding for phases two and three of the JTA's Ultimate Urban Circulator, or U2C, which launched in June with the start of service aboard the $65 million Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation system.

Prompted by ridership numbers that Council member Ron Salem described as "disappointing," Diamond suggests the money for the U2C would be better spent improving streets and other existing transportation infrastructure than on technology that, in his view, is experimental and subject to quickly being made obsolete by advancements in autonomous vehicle technology.

Diamond suggested diverting some city funds to purchase credits for companies like Uber and Waymo to provide rides for Jacksonville residents.

It would be a terrible shame for those funds to go to either of those uses. Pouring increasingly precious LOGT funds into more street repavings that will have to be done again later anyway or outright subsidizing Uber or Lyft instead of actually refocusing on improving mass transit in the region is a terrible miss, though exactly what I would expect to see from Diamond.

Ford told the DOGE committee it was unfair to base opinions about the long-term prospects of the U2C based on early ridership figures.

He said he and his leadership staff were confident that the system would meet the projection of 280 riders per day, but said the timing will be determined by how quickly the city's Downtown revitalization effort progresses.

Ford said use of the U2C will be buoyed by completion of Downtown projects such as the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences, the Rise: Doro apartment building, the new Northbank Museum of Science and History and the University of Florida graduate campus.

"Those developments are going to lead to the ridership that we were projecting," he said.

In addition, he said NAVI was developed at a fraction of the cost of a streetcar or light-rail system. Those would cost $500 million to $1 billion per mile, he told the DOGE committee.

Lol, this is some serious gaslighting. Anything costing anywhere close to $500 million to $1 billion per mile is being constructed as a subway, tunneling through a mountain or being bridged over a large body of water. I hope political leaders are really doing their homework on this and not taking quotes like this as face value.

I hope the mayor does her homework on this one too. This ain't about autonomous vehicles vs. LRT. This is simply a project that does not make sense for the investment, projected ridership and its limited ability to actually serve downtown's and Jax's public transit needs.

So... are they just pretending that $66 million for 280 riders a day is not awful to a disqualifying extent? Even the Skyway made it to four times that when pulling its plug was initially discussed, and that was without billions of dollars in surrounding development. And once again, it is very two-faced on either Ford's part or Deegan's part to claim that rail transit isn't precluded by NAVI while also lying about the cost of building it and insisting that Jacksonville is apparently the only large American city it cannot be done in. At some point, there can only be so much grace for someone's willingness to understand the situation, and the mayor's performance on First Coast Connect after two years in office and this fiasco unfolding in front of everyone seems to be exhausting that.

[jaxlongtimer]

Let's say the City wants to back out on funding U2C and lawyers/courts rule JTA must agree.  Well, the Mayor "controls" 3 board members that she could replace, if so inclined, based on their positions.  Our DOGE leading governor should also welcome the chance to pounce claiming he supported, via his appointees, on cancelling $200++ millions in government waste.  And, don't think the FDOT district secretary can't then smell the coffee and ensure a majority, if not unanimous, vote to kill the damn project.

Meet your JTA board....

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority's governing body is comprised of seven members. Three members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate, three members are appointed by Jacksonville's Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, and the seventh member is the District Two Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Members serve a four-year term with the exception of the FDOT Secretary who serves the length of his/her employment in that position and can be re-appointed for an additional four years. The board members of the JTA are not entitled to compensation but are reimbursed for travel and other expenses actually incurred in their duties as provided by law.

Aundra Wallace
Vice Chair
Aundra Wallace is president of the JAXUSA Partnership, the private, nonprofit regional economic development arm of JAX Chamber overseeing efforts of the seven counties of Northeast Florida. He directs a staff of 14 in the areas of business development, international investment, workforce development, research and marketing. JAXUSA's mission is to be a catalyst for economic growth and maximize the region's unique resources to aggressively recruit jobs and capital investment. Mayor Lenny Curry appointed him in February 2022.

Prior to joining JAXUSA Partnership in October 2018, Mr. Wallace served as CEO of the City of Jacksonville's Downtown Investment Authority (DIA). In this role, he spearheaded a diversified portfolio of infrastructure improvement projects, led economic development initiatives, invested in real estate development projects, managed the Downtown Development Design Review Board and oversaw the City's Public Parking Division.

He holds a Master of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Georgia Southern University. He is a Certified Housing Development Finance Professional and a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional.

Patricia Gillum Sams
Secretary
Patricia Gillum Sams was formerly manager of the Emerging Workforce Strategic department at JEA. She managed projects and programs that promoted employee engagement and branded the JEA as an employer of choice in the community.

Additionally, she is President & CEO of The Legacy Group L-A-M, LLC. Sams also serves as Founder/CEO of The Legacy League, Inc., a leadership development program designed to mentor and empower young professional women of color to positively impact their communities.

Sams has served on numerous boards and has held countless leadership roles in organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc., and the Jacksonville Chapter of The Links, Inc. She was also in the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2021 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast from Florida State University.

Elaine Brown
Board Member
Elaine is a graduate of Massey Business College, Majoring in Business Administration she is married to Richard Brown, former City Council member and Former Mayor of Neptune Beach. They have six grown children and currently live with 2 cats.

Max Glober
Board Member
Glober is the Vice President of Marketing at First Coast Energy, LLP. Active in his community, he previously served as a member of the Jacksonville Historical Preservation Commission. Glober earned his bachelor's degree in government from the College of William and Mary and his master's degree in business administration and juris doctor from the University of South Carolina.

Donald Horner III
Board Member
Horner is the Vice President of Investor Relations for Intrepid Capital Management. A veteran of the United States Navy, he is a Trustee for the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Horner earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy and his master's degree in business administration from Jacksonville University.

Rahman K. Johnson, Ph.D.
Council Liaison
Rahman K. Ross-Johnson was elected in 2023 to represent District 14 on the Jacksonville City Council. He was a professor of journalism and communications at Edward Waters University, where he was honored as Professor of the Year.

Dr. Johnson was born and raised in Jacksonville. He graduated with honors from Jean Ribault High School, holds degrees from Edward Waters University and Seton Hall University, and holds a Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University.

Media and entertainment have always been at the forefront of Dr. Johnson's career. He is an actor with hundreds of stage and film credits and has worked as a radio and television personality and news anchor for stations nationwide.

Since childhood, Dr. Johnson's family made sure that community engagement and public service were a part of daily life. He has served on the Jacksonville Civil Rights Task Force, the Downtown Development Authority LaVilla Gateway Project Steering Committee, Mimi and Lee Adams Environmental Board, the Thurgood Marshall Achievers Society Board, the Guardian Schools Board, and the Sickle Cell Disease Association Board.

Currently, Dr. Johnson is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., SAG/AFTRA, The Urban League, the National Association of Black Journalists, the American Association of University Professors, and The United Nations Association of the United States. He also served as a Stakeholder for the Jacksonville Insight Process under Mayor Ed Austin and was an organizer of the Jacksonville Community Council Forum for the Future.

Dr. Johnson has appeared in media worldwide. He was featured in EBONY Magazine as an outstanding young leader, quoted in USA Today and the London Times, hosted and produced an award-winning daily show on Nickelodeon, and was named one of 10 to watch during the decade by The Florida Times-Union newspaper. He has received countless awards for journalism, teaching, and acting during his more than 30-year career.

Dr. Johnson currently serves on the Land Use and Zoning and Rules Committees. He is also on the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees and the council liaison to the Joint Planning Committee and the Safety & Crime Reduction Commission.

After the death of his mother, Dr. Johnson curated and published a collection of poems. His book Living, Loving, Letting Go was named book of the year by the American Library Association. He continues to perform and lecture, spreading a message of self-actualization and cultural understanding.

[Charles Hunter]

Is Councilman Johnson one of the six appointed* members? Is that something new where one of the appointees is a member of City Council?

Does anyone know who appointed each of the members?

* Plus the FDOT District 2 Secretary, Greg Evans (he's been in that position a long time). And, is he attending meetings? I seem to remember news coverage (perhaps here?) a while back about him not attending JTA Board Meetings, and sending a subordinate. If I am correct, JTA only has 5 of the six appointed positions, and the status of the DOT District Secretary is a mystery.

OK, I researched my own question by looking at JTA Board Minutes from January 2024 through the most recent (Sept. 2025)
Greg Evans is listed as "Board Member Not Present" for the 7 Regular and 2 Special Board Meetings, and the Board Retreat, in 2024.
This continues for the five Board meetings through May. He is not listed as "Present" or "Not Present" starting with the July 2025 meeting. Neither the May nor July Minutes address this change.

Also of note, Councilman Johnson's name does not appear in the Board Members Present/Not, but there is an Agenda Item for "Comments from the Council Liaison."  To me, this means he is not one of the 7 voting Board Members.

[jaxlongtimer]

A new Chinese made Waymo empowered vehicle arriving in San Diego... Bet it's a lot cheaper than Holon or NAVI vehicles.

https://insideevs.com/news/779709/zeekr-waymo-ev/

Here's Waymo's New Autonomous Taxi From Zeekr, Spotted In The Wild
The Chinese brand partnered with Waymo on a purpose-built robotaxi, which has already landed in San Diego.

[jaxlongtimer]

Hmmm... and JTA is still trying to figure out a few blocks on Bay Street...

California DMV expands permitted areas for Waymo robotaxis
Waymo can now operate in the entire Bay Area, Sacramento and nearly all of Southern California up to the Mexican Border, after the California Department of Motor Vehicles approved the massive new permit area....

....Waymo said it provided more than 1 million rides every month in the Bay Area and LA County....

The darker areas below indicate the permit area before the expansion on Nov. 21, 2025.  Now covering all of greater San Francisco/Sacramento and Los Angeles/San Diego.

[Charles Hunter]

To continue my thoughts on membership of the JTA Board, and to address jaxlongtimer's comment on getting the Board to kill the U2C.

I remembered the 2025 Legislature made some changes to the JTA Board. As I recall, part of the reasoning was that as highest FDOT official in the District, the District Secretary has to be able to talk with the very people who sit on the JTA Board. Forcing those meetings to be in the Sunshine would be burdensome. Thus, the DS was removed from the JTA Board.
From Chapter 349, the JTA enabling act:

FS 349.03
(2) The governing body of the authority shall be composed of seven members. Four members shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Of the four members appointed by the Governor, one must be a resident of Duval County, one must be a resident of Clay County, one must be a resident of St. Johns County, and one must be a resident of Nassau County. Three members shall be appointed by the mayor of the City of Jacksonville subject to confirmation by the council of the City of Jacksonville. Members appointed by the mayor of the City of Jacksonville must be residents and qualified electors of Duval County.

https://www.leg.state.fl.us/STATUTES/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0349/0349.html

I believe this change became effective July 1st of this year. I seem to recall that the existing Governor's appointees can complete their existing 4-year terms before members are needed from outside of Duval.

Since the JTA website does not identify who appointed each member, it is difficult to say who is responsible for the two current vacancies. Reiterating my earlier point, since Councilman Johnson is not listed in the Board Member Attendance portion of JTA Board minutes, and is listed separately for a Council Liaison Report, I conclude he is not one of the seven Board members - despite the JTA website's listing.

[jaxlongtimer]

Just saw where Action News' Emily Turner is stepping back to raise her kids.  Turner has been the leading investigative reporter on the fallacies of U2C and other shortcomings at JTA.  Understand her decision but sorry to lose her reporting given that, other than the Jaxson, no one seems to be birddogging JTA like she did.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/11/24/jacksonville-tv-anchor-leaves-action-news-jax/87441103007/?tbref=hp

[Charles Hunter]

We can hope another reporter at Action News will continue her work on the U2C and other issues.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

All major cities in Florida has pretty much signed up for Waymo. A ton of major cities with more testing vs 1 city with little testing. Hmm which do you think will be more progressive? JTA doesn't stand a chance. Cut the losses now before the bleeding continues. Take the L. It happens to the best of us. Don't put more salt on the wound!

I'm not sure why JTA invest in a commuter rail instead. They've done the study. Even if it's a few carts until ridership increases between Jacksonville and St Aug and to the airport. CSX is willing to work with them, send like a no brainier. Am I just not informed or missing something?

https://jtamobilityworks2.com/jrtc-rail-terminal/
https://waymo.com/blog

[marcuscnelson]

To address Charles Hunter's questions about the makeup of the JTA Board:

The City of Jacksonville has appointed Aundra Wallace (Under Mayor Curry, reappointed by Mayor Deegan), Patricia Gillum Sams (Deegan), and Elaine Brown (Deegan, after Megan Hayward was appointed and then removed).

The State of Florida has appointed Max Glober (DeSantis) and Donald Horner III (DeSantis). There is currently a vacancy created by... either Debbie Buckland's removal or Ray Driver's resignation. This year's state law changes also create a new vacancy with the removal of the FDOT District Secretary as a member.

Rahman Johnson is the City Council Liaison, which is not a voting member and not included.

[marcuscnelson]

Just saw where Action News' Emily Turner is stepping back to raise her kids.  Turner has been the leading investigative reporter on the fallacies of U2C and other shortcomings at JTA.  Understand her decision but sorry to lose her reporting given that, other than the Jaxson, no one seems to be birddogging JTA like she did.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/11/24/jacksonville-tv-anchor-leaves-action-news-jax/87441103007/?tbref=hp

Very sad to see her go, one of the brave few to seriously shine a light on what a mess this agency has been. Wish her well.

I'm not sure why JTA invest in a commuter rail instead. They've done the study. Even if it's a few carts until ridership increases between Jacksonville and St Aug and to the airport. CSX is willing to work with them, send like a no brainier. Am I just not informed or missing something?

https://jtamobilityworks2.com/jrtc-rail-terminal/

Trouble I think in large part is that JTA has never really bothered to go further than various studies into it. There is a lot more work that would need to go into really developing it as a project but that work is expensive and requires political buy-in, which the City and St. Johns County have not really shown strong enough interest in.

I've been of the opinion for a while that it actually doesn't make much sense to chase commuter rail to St. Augustine as a project at this point when there is already interest in intercity rail as part of a broader line down to Miami, JTA can and should be helping to facilitate the North Florida element of that. They've instead largely dedicated their institutional abilities to propping up the U2C program.