Holon & JTA Autonomous Shuttle Deal Analysis

Overview

• Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has agreed to purchase 100 Holon Mover autonomous transit shuttles at a cost of $409,000 each.

Financials

• Total investment for the deal: $40.9 million.
• Holon is building a new $100 million manufacturing plant in Jacksonville, marking its first U.S. facility dedicated to driverless transit shuttles.
• The plant is projected to generate an economic impact of $300 million and create 763 direct/indirect jobs in Northeast Florida.

Deployment Timeline

• Initial deployment of 14 Holon Mover shuttles on Bay Street is scheduled for 2027 as part of the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) program.
• Retrofitted Ford E-Transit vans will be used temporarily this summer to meet federal grant requirements for U.S.-manufactured vehicles.

Economic Impact

• The project aligns with JTA's goal to modernize public transportation while supporting local economic development.
• Construction of Holon's plant is expected to begin in the summer, with operations commencing thereafter.

Competitive Landscape

• Beep, Inc. has secured a 5-year contract worth up to $36.3 million to manage operations and maintenance for the U2C program on Bay Street.
• The deal underscores Jacksonville's position as a hub for autonomous transportation innovation in the U.S.

Regulatory & Strategic Considerations

• The interim use of retrofitted vans highlights the importance of meeting federal manufacturing requirements for grant compliance.
• This partnership positions Holon as a key player in the U.S. autonomous shuttle market, while JTA gains access to cutting-edge technology for its transit network.