![\"Nat](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ford_Nathaniel_t850.jpg\" "\\"Nat")
<\/p>\nNat Ford, CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, will leave his position with the authority, according to a July 3 news release from JTA.<\/p>\n
Ford, JTA\u2019s CEO for 13 years, will remain with the authority through Jan. 8, 2027, according to the release. The JTA board is set to discuss selection for the authority\u2019s next CEO at its July 29 board meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe JTA is operationally strong and well-positioned for the future,\u201d Ford said in the release.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have full confidence in the leadership team\u2019s ability to continue advancing our mission. It has been the greatest professional honor of my career to serve this organization, this city, and this region.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Nat Ford<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder the leadership of Nat, JTA has built a national reputation for innovating, particularly in the autonomous vehicle space,\u201d board Chair Aundra Wallace said in the release. Wallace also commended Ford for maintaining the JTA\u2019s focus on \u201cthe core of what we do best \u2013 providing safe, reliable and affordable public transportation to our community.<\/p>\n
Ford leaves JTA as the organization works to build-out its Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) system, which would create a network of autonomous vehicles around Jacksonville\u2019s Downtown and urban core.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The first phase of that build-out was the debut of $65 million Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (NAVI) system Downtown. JTA plans to continue that project with future phases that would include the rehabilitation of Downtown\u2019s Skyway monorail and the expansion of NAVI vehicles into Brooklyn, Riverside, San Marco and Springfield.<\/p>\n
The $65 million NAVI service\u00a0<\/p>\n
The NAVI service is part of JTA\u2019s Ultimate Urban Circulator system, or U2C, which, if fully developed, would cost upward of $400 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The U2C became a controversial issue in City Hall since the program debuted in June 2025. It received opposition and support from both sides of the aisle, with strong support coming from Mayor Donna Deegan and strong opposition from such Council members as Jimmy Peluso, a Democrat, and Rory Diamond, a Republican who is the newly appointed Council JTA liaison for the 2026-27 term.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder Mr. Ford\u2019s leadership, our transportation authority became not only a model for innovation, but a catalyst for economic growth, attracting new businesses and creating quality jobs that strengthened Jacksonville\u2019s future,\u201d Deegan said in the release.<\/p>\n
\u201cNat has been a dedicated partner to the City of Jacksonville, and his vision and collaborative spirit helped move our community forward in meaningful ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Navi_JTA_cropped_1_t850.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/p>\n
A van from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation system heads east down Bay Street in Downtown. NAVI, which operates on a 3.5-mile route mostly along Bay Street, cost $65 million to start.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville Transportation Authority<\/p>\n
\u201cNat Ford is a good friend. We didn\u2019t always agree on policy, but I\u2019m grateful for his service to Jacksonville,\u201d Diamond wrote in a text.<\/p>\n
In its release, JTA credited Ford with developing the authority\u2019s First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit system and leading the construction of JTA\u2019s LaVilla headquarters, expanding JTA\u2019s regional footprint and more.<\/p>\n
The JTA release said Ford did not specify what his next role could be. A JTA spokesperson said July 3Ford had multiple options for a career move, but he had not committed to anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ford previously worked as the CEO of the public transit agencies of Atlanta and San Francisco. Outside of his work with JTA, Ford serves as the chairman of the American Public Transportation Association, based in Washington and chairman of the Transportation Research Board. Both organizations are based in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n
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