First Coast News – Jacksonville to launch nation’s first public transit route with self-driving shuttles
Jacksonville will launch the nation’s first autonomous public transit service next week, UNF students weigh in.
Editors note: expect this hyped experiment to quickly end, but without any additional announcements in order to stave off embarrassment of everyone involved.
See original article by Hajah Bah at First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Self-driving cars may sound futuristic — but that future is arriving fast in Jacksonville.
More than 400 transportation experts, students and innovators gathered Monday at the Prime Osborn Convention Center for the National Autonomous Vehicle Day Conference. The event spotlighted the city’s role at the forefront of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology — and revealed a major first for the country.
“In just one week from today, we will celebrate the launch of the nation’s first — not pilot — but permitted public transportation service powered by autonomous vehicles,” said Nat Ford, CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA).
That service will begin along the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, where electric, self-driving shuttles will start transporting passengers next week.
Two University of North Florida student researchers say the shift to AVs could make Jacksonville’s streets safer.
“It’s not AVs versus human drivers,” said Christian Zardnes, a UNF student. “ It’s more like we’re working alongside with AVs so I have more of a collaboration with any certain machine, learning or artificial intelligence to help reduce the human behaviors that cause these human crashes to go down.”
Recherch UNF student Christopher Hall tells First Coast News Jacksonville is setting the pace.
“So, having this in Jacksonville, they are the future,” said Hall. “They’re at the start of this like brand new not brand new industry, but brand new steppingstone for the AV industry.”
JTA plans to expand the autonomous shuttle routes in 2026, creating a connected, tech-forward transit network in Jacksonville’s urban core.
For now, all eyes are on Bay Street — where the future of public transportation officially begins next week.
See original article by Hajah Bah at First Coast News
