JTA to launch six-month fare pilot Feb. 1; Connection Plus kept but customers pay larger share

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will begin a six-month fare-modification pilot on Feb. 1 that reduces some fixed-route fares and restructures pricing for its premium paratransit service, JTA CEO Nat Ford told the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee.

JTA staff said the pilot will lower certain single-ride and pass prices and reduce the connection (paratransit shared-ride) fare from $3 to $2. Jessica Shepler, JTA Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, said Connection Plus — a 2019-launched premium, same-day door-to-door service — will be retained but customers will pay more of the actual trip cost under a proposed structure: a $10 base charge for the first 8 miles and $3.50 for each additional mile, with a monthly trip cap discussed during the presentation. Shepler said the proposal was based on usage data showing 96% of Connection Plus customers take 40 or fewer trips a month and that the average Connection Plus trip cost averages about $39 for JTA to provide.

Why it matters: Council members said the change may significantly increase out-of-pocket costs for riders who rely on Connection Plus for work and medical trips. Ford and JTA staff said the shift is intended to reduce a growing subsidy burden: Shepler reported Connection Plus costs escalated since 2019 (a 124% increase from FY22 to FY25) and that projected costs could have reached about $8 million this year without changes. Ford told the committee JTA must balance subsidies across a broad set of services (ferry, Skyway, fixed-route, Navi/autonomous investments) and pursue a strategy that preserves federally required paratransit while reducing heavy subsidies for premium services.

Key exchanges and commitments: Councilmembers pressed JTA for more detail and follow-up data. Matt Carlucci asked for printed materials and example cost comparisons for constituents; Shepler agreed to supply personalized run-throughs. Joe Carlucci urged a phased price increase (for example $6→$8 then $8→$10) and adjustments to mileage thresholds; Shepler said staff would run the numbers and report back, noting a prior rapid pivot had been handled within 24 hours. Councilmember Roy Diamond described the change as “morally reprehensible” and asked whether funding for the Navi autonomous program could be shifted to avoid raising costs for people with severe disabilities; Ford acknowledged strong concerns, defended the board’s involvement and the need to rebalance subsidies, and said the board had approved the fare-reduction strategy in December.

Data and oversight: JTA said it held eight community meetings across Duval County and consulted the Jacksonville Transportation Advisory Committee for the Disabled and the Mayor’s Disability Council; more than 146 people attended. JTA said it will track performance indicators including ridership, on‑time performance, trip time, and fare collection, and that a board subcommittee will review results during the pilot. Staff also noted grant funding (state "state of good repair" grants) helped procure 51 new vehicles introduced to the fleet.

Next steps: The pilot begins Feb. 1. JTA committed to provide requested breakdowns (daily ridership, district-level distribution, and constituent-specific cost runs) and to report back to the TEU committee and the public; Councilmembers asked JTA to return toward the end of the pilot with lessons learned and any recommended pivots.