DETROIT – Need a lift? An autonomous shuttle service will soon start offering free rides in Downtown Detroit.
“The Connect” is an autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle pilot program set to open to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. It’s a free, autonomous, and fully electric pilot program.
When the program initially launches, the shuttles will be manually operated. This is so the service can analyze for possible route adjustments and verify the autonomous features needed for Downtown Detroit. Full autonomous driving is expected later this year, but even then a safety operator will remain behind the wheel of the shuttles at all times.
Detroit received an additional $1.67 million in funding from MDOT, which it will use to add a fifth shuttle and extend the pilot service another year.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free for all riders. When the pilot program opens to the public, it will launch with four all-electric, wheelchair-accessible Ford E-Transit shuttles.
When will it run?
The shuttles will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. They drive a 10.8-mile route from Corktown through Downtown Detroit to the East Jefferson Riverfront and back. Shuttles will arrive approximately every 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours.
How to track the shuttle
Riders will be able to track shuttles in real-time and get estimates on when the shuttles will be arriving.
Information on how to track the shuttles is available at theconnect.liftango.com/home.
Autonomous shuttle route map
The project is a collaborative effort that involves the city of Detroit, Bedrock, Michigan Central, and the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, and Perrone Robotics.