JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Jacksonville\u2019s DOGE Committee met Tuesday to review three city programs as part of its ongoing effort to identify potential waste, inefficiency or abuse in local government.<\/p>\n
City Councilmember Rory Diamond is calling for an end to one of them: the Jacksonville Transportation Authority\u2019s autonomous vehicle initiative, known as the Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Transit Service, or NAVI program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want to spend over $400 million on this autonomous vehicle program now,\u201d Diamond said during Tuesday\u2019s meeting. \u201cAnd I want to know: What is the budget? When will it come up? Is the technology tried and tested? Candidly, I think it\u2019s a boondoggle and I want to end the whole thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
JTA\u2019s NAVI program was among the first public autonomous vehicle transit systems in the country. The autonomous shuttles currently operate along a 3.5-mile route in Downtown Jacksonville, with 12 stops between Pearl Street and EverBank Stadium. The service launched in June and is budgeted at $65 million in operating costs, according to city officials.<\/p>\n
However, councilmembers noted that the shuttles are currently averaging just 11 riders per hour, raising concerns about their cost-effectiveness. DOGE Committee members submitted a list of questions to JTA regarding the program\u2019s future, and expect responses within two weeks.<\/p>\n
In addition to the NAVI program, the committee also reviewed:<\/p>\n
JFRD\u2019s PATH Program, which provides outreach and assistance to people experiencing homelessness. Since its launch, the program has served nearly 1,600 people, with more than 500 placed on a path to permanent housing.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s Opioid Grant Program, which manages $47 million in funding received from a national opioid lawsuit settlement. The money supports treatment, education and prevention efforts throughout Jacksonville.<\/p>\n
The DOGE Committee is scheduled to meet again in two weeks to continue its oversight of city spending and program outcomes.<\/p>\n
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