JTA at a Crossroads Series

John Hawley

Jul 1, 2026

Transit, leadership, finances & accountability

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is responsible for far more than moving buses through Jacksonville. It manages a complex public transportation system supported by local, state and federal dollars while making decisions about transit service, major capital projects, technology, staffing and long-term transportation investments.

JTA at a Crossroads follows those decisions and the public money behind them. The series examines JTA’s finances, executive leadership, budgets, ridership, service changes, major projects and government oversight—using budgets, audits, contracts, public records and JTA's own performance reports whenever possible.

The reporting also asks what happens when financial projections change, projects cost more than anticipated, executives leave, services are reduced or elected officials begin asking questions. Rather than examining those developments separately, the series connects them to understand what JTA knew, when it knew it, what decisions followed and who was responsible for oversight.

From the agency's financial challenges and executive compensation to the Skyway, autonomous-vehicle strategy, bus service and Jacksonville's broader transportation priorities, each installment explores another part of the story.

Below you'll find the complete JTA at a Crossroads series. Follow the articles individually—or follow them chronologically—to see how transit, leadership, finances and accountability intersect at one of Jacksonville's most consequential public agencies.

JTA at a Crossroads - Part 11