Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) announced that Nathaniel Ford will take over as chief executive officer in late October 2026. Ford was selected by the DART board in July after serving as CEO of the Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA).
Background on the Jacksonville investigation
The Florida Attorney General’s office has opened a criminal investigation into JTA, focusing on expenditures incurred while Ford led the agency. Items under scrutiny include payments for massages, murals, hotel stays and a tuition‑reimbursement policy that may have violated IRS codes. Subpoenas have been issued for text messages and emails exchanged between Ford, his wife and consultant Kenston Griffin from October 2023 through March 2025, as well as for Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan.
JTA is also confronting a $39 million budget shortfall, prompting route reductions, staffing cuts and a city loan of roughly $30 million. Councilman Rory Diamond warned that the agency’s NAVI autonomous shuttle system, billed as the nation’s first fully autonomous public‑transport network, contributed to the fiscal strain. Diamond noted the $400 million cost of the shuttle program far exceeds JTA’s annual budget of about $140 million.
Impact on the NAVI shuttle program
As part of the ongoing investigation, JTA announced that the NAVI autonomous shuttle system will cease operations on December 31. The shutdown follows earlier reporting that Ford’s travel expenses included a nearly $10,000 trip to Spain.
DART’s response
Despite the investigation, DART board member Doug Hrbacek said the probe raises “serious concerns,” but affirmed the board’s confidence in Ford’s ability to lead DART. The board has not yet received comments from DART Chair Randall Bryant, Ford himself, or other board members.
Next steps
JTA must produce the requested records by October 20, according to the subpoena. Ford remains slated to begin his DART tenure one week later, on schedule.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
