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

[Tacachale]

Yeah, Diamond has made it clear over his years on council that he opposes pretty much anything involving transit and investment in infrastructure. On the other hand, he's not a serious person, so the damage he can do is somewhat limited in his final year on City Council.

Tachacale, or anyone who knows - Diamond is term-limited as a District Council Representative. Could he run for an At-Large seat next spring? Or is the limit "eight consecutive years on the City Council"? Which means that Jimmy Paluso will only get one term At-Large, when (if) he wins.

Personal opinion - the term limit should be two terms, period. Despite how much I appreciate Matt Carlucci being on the Council (about to be term-limited, again), I don't like the "sit out a term and come back" aspect of the current limit.

Good question. A person is limited to two terms consecutively, regardless of if their seat changes. It comes up with redistrictmg every 10 years. Diamond is done after this term (and would not win any competitive election even if he changed seats).

[Charles Hunter]

This should be embarrassing for Tampa, being the only city with a state apended.

rides in San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, Florida, and Denver,

We now return you to your thread

[urban_]

Not sure if this is old news for y'all, but Nat Ford has allegedly announced he's stepping down this coming January. hooray!
https://jaxtoday.org/2026/07/06/nat-ford-resignation-jta/

[jaxlongtimer]

Not sure if this is old news for y'all, but Nat Ford has allegedly announced he's stepping down this coming January. hooray!
https://jaxtoday.org/2026/07/06/nat-ford-resignation-jta/

Urban, thanks.  Yes, touched on earlier in this thread but mostly discussed here: https://forum.metrojacksonville.com/index.php/topic,38438.msg537449/topicseen.html#new

Scroll through the posts starting with 7/6 to follow along.  Generally, like you, celebrated among posters on the Jaxson.

[Ken_FSU]

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/ready-pull-plug-navi-ridership-peaks-two-months-decreases-by-about-15-first-year/VYN5OHPW55EMBMMMD5LGGRALIE/?outputType=amp

Strong words from Peluso. I'm here for it.

City Councilman Jimmy Peluso says that much money could've been better used elsewhere.

"I think if we as a city are truly going to be looking at new mass transit options, we've got to look at rail," Peluso said. "Now's the time to strike and start talking about a fixed rail system, like a light rail system or a commuter rail system. We are ready for faster ways to get around the city quickly, efficiently, and without having to own a car. And so that's where these dollars need to go."

JTA CEO Nat Ford recently announced that he will be stepping down from his position in January.

Peluso says he's doubtful whether JTA will continue to invest in the program once he steps out.

"I just think logically it makes very little sense that you're going to see somebody want to step into that role, continuing something they had nothing to do with, and maybe don't believe in," Peluso said. "And frankly, I don't think the people of Jacksonville believe in it either, so I think it's ready to pull the plug."

[marcuscnelson]

Very good points by Peluso, and it speaks to a much more rational mindset about why to invest in mass transit than what Nat Ford has chosen to subscribe to for a decade now. Both understanding that these big things take time to plan and build (which we've wasted for a long time under Ford's leadership), but also that they're worth building if they accomplish the things they need to, which is getting people around the city faster, more efficiently, and more flexibly. Rail is proven at that, and that's its value proposition, not vague ideas of the future.

In terms of NAVI, as I've said before, I think there are useful applications to elements of this technology (I keep harping on the idea of Super Cruise for bus operators because that actually seems potentially helpful), and we'll have to figure out how to repurpose those assets in ways that are actually conducive to mass transit needs, but the U2C as envisioned has proven itself to have little real purpose to the public, and does not actually appear all that functional.

I suspect we'll also soon find ourselves with frustrating questions about the prospect of returning grant funds and winding down contracts with Beep and the like. But frankly, it seems irrational to insist on the status quo without Ford demanding it.

[BridgeTroll]

Long past time for Nat Ford to go... 

[thelakelander]

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/ready-pull-plug-navi-ridership-peaks-two-months-decreases-by-about-15-first-year/VYN5OHPW55EMBMMMD5LGGRALIE/?outputType=amp

Strong words from Peluso. I'm here for it.

City Councilman Jimmy Peluso says that much money could've been better used elsewhere.

"I think if we as a city are truly going to be looking at new mass transit options, we've got to look at rail," Peluso said. "Now's the time to strike and start talking about a fixed rail system, like a light rail system or a commuter rail system. We are ready for faster ways to get around the city quickly, efficiently, and without having to own a car. And so that's where these dollars need to go."

JTA CEO Nat Ford recently announced that he will be stepping down from his position in January.

Peluso says he's doubtful whether JTA will continue to invest in the program once he steps out.

"I just think logically it makes very little sense that you're going to see somebody want to step into that role, continuing something they had nothing to do with, and maybe don't believe in," Peluso said. "And frankly, I don't think the people of Jacksonville believe in it either, so I think it's ready to pull the plug."

When it comes to rail in Jacksonville, our low hanging fruit reality remains (A) investing in and better utilizing the existing Skyway system and (B) bringing Amtrak long distance intercity trains back downtown. Both LRT and commuter rail dreams are light years away from happening.

[marcuscnelson]

Thought this might be worth noting.

Someone on Facebook noticed one of Tesla's Cybercabs at what appears to be the corner of University Blvd and St. Augustine Rd:



Once again begging the question of what JTA brings to the table with NAVI vs improving on regular mass transit in ways cars can't easily do.

[fsu813]

^ I saw it last week on Beach Blvd. Thought it was just a decked out Tesla.

[Ken_FSU]

These are the real-life consequences of Nat Ford's priorities as leader of JTA. Chasing fool's gold and personal accolades at the expense of serving the communities that need reliable public transportation the most.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/07/17/jta-proposes-eliminating-route-18-leaving-hundreds-of-jacksonville-riders-searching-for-answers/

[jaxlongtimer]

These are the real-life consequences of Nat Ford's priorities as leader of JTA. Chasing fool's gold and personal accolades at the expense of serving the communities that need reliable public transportation the most.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/07/17/jta-proposes-eliminating-route-18-leaving-hundreds-of-jacksonville-riders-searching-for-answers/

So much for transit oriented development.  People dependent on buses choose housing along the route and then, poof, it's gone.  Doesn't encourage more riders given JTA's lack of reliability and credibility.  The spiral down continues.  No wonder Ford wants out...  JTA is going backwards, not forwards, under his leadership.

[CityLife]

These are the real-life consequences of Nat Ford's priorities as leader of JTA. Chasing fool's gold and personal accolades at the expense of serving the communities that need reliable public transportation the most.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/07/17/jta-proposes-eliminating-route-18-leaving-hundreds-of-jacksonville-riders-searching-for-answers/

Good news: he's set the bar very low for the next director. The new director can come in and be a hero after canceling U2C/Navi, solving the Skyway issue, and improving basic core services.

Bad news: The new director has a bit of a mess to clean up. JTA may have to pay a little over market to get an established professional to take on the headache and risk.

Jax has a native son doing well in the transportation planning world at a big public agency in Florida. Hopefully he is open to the position.   

[jaxlongtimer]

This CNBC video discusses how far away Tesla is from perfecting robotaxis.  And, not even close to Waymo.  Imagine how far back U2C must be.  Ford's folly!

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2026/07/23/tesla-has-no-business-without-solving-full-self-driving-ross-gerber.html?