New Autonomous​ Shuttle Route Opening In Detroit This Summer

DETROIT — A free autonomous shuttle route could be coming to areas around Downtown Detroit this summer, Detroit city officials announced Tuesday.

Four electric Ford E-transit wheelchair accessible vans will shuttle passengers along a 10-mile route between Bedrock's 200 Walker Street property on Detroit's East Riverfront to Michigan Central Station in Corktown, according to officials.

"The Connect pilot signifies a bold leap toward sustainable and efficient mobility in our city. Through collaborative efforts, we not only aim to provide a reliable and efficient transportation experience connecting neighborhoods, transit routes and modes, and economic hubs, but also position Detroit at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle race," Chief of the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation Tim Slusser said.

Officials will test the autonomous vans both on and off-road over the next few months. Although the vans will be autonomous, there will be a safety operator inside the van, according to officials.

Officials hope the two-way route will be open by this summer.

Michigan Central, Bedrock, and the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification have contributed $1.5 million in funding for the route's first year, according to officials.

The new Connect route is part of a goal of achieving a zero-emission public transportation system.