JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville City Council member is pushing for council action to potentially withhold funding from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) if the agency moves forward with changes to its Connexion Plus program, a door-to-door paratransit service for seniors and residents with disabilities.
Councilman Jimmy Peluso issued the warning on social media following JTA’s decision to delay a controversial vote on fare increases.
“I will make it very clear, Jacksonville Transportation Authority needs to keep the fare for Connexion Plus at its current price, or I’ll push for City Council to act,” Peluso said in the statement. “The JTA requires funds from the Council, and we can just as easily withhold them if JTA leadership doesn’t change course.”
My official statement regarding Connexion Plus & the @JTAFLA pic.twitter.com/hXpUS5pCW9
— Jimmy Peluso (@jimmyforjax) January 28, 2026
News4JAX reached out to JTA for a response to Peluso’s post.
In a statement a spokesperson said:
Council Member Peluso hasn’t taken a moment to have a single conversation with the JTA to be educated on this process or the customers affected by the misinformation he spreads. This is both irresponsible and sad, particularly given his threat, one he has no authority to make, to withhold funding from the disability community. We welcome an opportunity to educate him on the Connexion services the JTA provides for Our community.
JTA Spokesperson
Despite the delay to any changes to Connexion Plus pricing and the reduction of other fares, the conversation continued at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, where program users voiced their concerns about potential changes to the service.
“It’s not affordable for our population,” one resident told council members.
Another emphasized, “We can’t go backward with this.”
“We’re making sure that JTA knows full well that of all the programs to cut and all the programs to reassess, why are they picking the most successful beloved program?” Peluso said. “It just makes no sense to me.”
The pilot program pricing is set to begin on Sunday and end in April. However, Peluso says he believes other council members would support extending the deadline “substantially” before any changes to the program.
“My message to JTA is do your job,” Peluso said. “Your job is to move people throughout Jacksonville regardless of race, creed, color, disability.”
In the decision to delay the Connexion Plus vote, JTA officials said they will continue gathering community input before making any final decisions on the program.