City of Grand Rapids deploys Autonomous Shuttles from May Mobility

The Grand Rapids Autonomous Vehicle Initiative (AVGR) brings four electric shuttles to downtown streets starting this summer. The six-seat shuttles will be available through summer 2020.

The shuttles are self-driving. However, they'll always have a “driver” when they're on the streets. This initiative helps the city understand how autonomous vehicles work in a variety of weather conditions. It will also helps better define accessibility standards for autonomous vehicles.

The shuttles will ride along our DASH West route, which provides access to Downtown, West Side and Heartside Business District. As a commuter-driven service, the route provides connectivity to many popular locations downtown. Best of all, the shuttles are free for riders.

Each vehicle will have an attendant. The fleet attendants are on board to monitor the vehicle and intervene if there should be a need to do so. Additionally, they are present to help answer your questions and provide feedback that helps improve the service.

The Grand Rapids Autonomous Vehicle Initiative is a partnership between City of Grand Rapids, Consumers Energy, Faurecia, Gentex, May Mobility, PlanetM/Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Rockford Construction, Start Garden/Seamless and Steelcase. Together, they will operate and monitor autonomous vehicles on the streets of Grand Rapids.