Fleet Operations

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is committed to improving the sustainability of its fleet operations through a number of strategies aimed at reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, and improving operational efficiency of the transit network. These strategies will help reduce air pollution, soil toxicity, water pollution, and impacts to climate change, while creating a financially sustainable model for transit service growth.

Compressed Natural Gas Buses and Fueling Infrastructure

The JTA is committed to converting a majority of its bus fleet to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles. These vehicles produce fewer emissions than diesel or gasoline, which results in better air quality for our customers. In 2015, the JTA opened two CNG fueling stations, one for its transit operations and one for public use. Along with the CNG fueling infrastructure, the JTA committed to the purchase and operation of 100 CNG vehicles. The Authority began operating CNG vehicles on the First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services in 2015. Since the launch the JTA has acquired 87 CNG vehicles in operation on both the BRT and Fixed Route services, with an additional 24 planned for the launch of the First Coast Flyer Orange Line and future fixed route operations.

Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations

The JTA is committed to diversifying its fleet fuel composition to help reduce dependence on foreign fossil fuels and its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The JTA plans to add electric vehicles into its fleet in 2020, with the addition of two Gillig Electric Buses. Charging infrastructure will be installed at the JTA’s maintenance facility and vehicles will be piloted on a shuttle service. The vehicles will be charged using electricity from JEA’s SolarSmart Program, making the service truly zero-emission.

Anti-Idling Policy/ Anti-Idling Technology

In an effort to further reduce the JTA’s impact on the community’s air quality, the JTA is identifying strategies to reduce the impacts of vehicle idling. The JTA has an anti-idling policy in place, which limits idling time of the fleet, improving fuel economy and reducing air pollution. The JTA also is exploring the opportunity to implement anti-idling technology which will help monitor and improve the rate at which JTA vehicles idle.

Green Transportation Criteria

To further improve the efficiency of the JTA’s fleet, Green Transportation Criteria are being developed to guide fleet growth and operation into the future. The JTA has established goals to convert portions of both its revenue and non-revenue fleets to renewable fuels and to displace a portion of its fossil fuel use. The JTA will look to electrification and the use of biofuels to achieve these goals. The JTA also is looking at a variety of service models and alternative modes of transportation to optimize the fleet size and composition, and to increase fuel efficiency of its services.