JTA working to balance budget after $8M shortfall for Connexion Plus premium para-transit service

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There’s now a new option for riders with disabilities in Duval County. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is partnering with Uber to help save money and ease tensions after the fares for its Connexion Plus program went up in April.

It’s been a hot topic after the door-to-door premium ride service was at risk of being cut.

By providing Uber vouchers to Connexion customers, JTA’S CEO said the authority is saving $19 a person compared to its premium service, Connexion Plus. 

The new option became available April 2nd and more than 160 customers have signed up, according to the JTA.

“The biggest thing is it just allows us to feel like everyone else. Like we can have a level of transportation. Everyone else pays for gas and for a car, so I don’t mind paying a nominal fee for transportation,” said Scott Toro.

Toro is blind and has been using JTA’s Connexion Plus since it started in 2019. He doesn’t mind paying for the premium service – but says the increase in fares in causing an issue. It’s now $10 for the first 12 miles, $2.50 per mile after that.

 “That’s going to affect my future job prospects. If I go Monday through Friday for a job, that’s $400 out of my paycheck, that’s something I need to account for,” said Toro.

Something JTA is now working to account for is the $8 million deficit due to the popularity of Connexion Plus. CEO Nat Ford spoke about the changes during the April Duval DOGE meeting special committee.

“We were innovative trying something to serve our customers and it became so popular that it’s going to be harder to maintain it, that’s why we brought in Uber,” said Ford during his JTA presentation.

JTA is now offering a Connexion Uber Opt-In program. The cost is $3.50 per trip with a $20 voucher. The voucher is good for up to ten trips a week within Duval County and resets each Monday.

 Once you register once, the vouchers will automatically show up on your Uber account according to JTA.

“I had no idea [about the Uber opt-in] and I’m a consistent user of this service…I plan to sign up,” said Toro. “That’s some positive momentum in the right direction.”

Susanna Zekas’ son, Larson, has a brain injury and uses Connexion Plus to get to work at the YMCA.

“It sounds like they’re [JTA] putting in a good effort,” said Zekas. “We will sign him up for Uber opt-in.”

Zekas said she’s concerned for those in wheelchairs or those who need extra assistance. The Uber opt-in is curb-to-curb, not a door-to-door service like Connexion Plus.

“[My son] does not require someone to come to the door and get him and assist him to the vehicle and walk him into work or to an appointment. So it works for him but it wouldn’t work for everyone,” said Zekas.

JTAs CEO said since the changes in fares and the new Uber partnership, they’ve seen a 7% decrease in Connexion Plus customers and 12% increase in Connexion reservations, so they’re calling it an improvement to managing their budget. As for the Uber vouchers, JTA did not make it clear whether or not this will be a permanent option or trial run. Click HERE to sign up for the JTA Uber opt-in.