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May Mobility and SouthWest Transit launch first autonomous transportation service in Minnesota
May Mobility , a provider of autonomous driving technology, and SouthWest Transit , a transit agency serving SouthWest Twin Cities, are partnering to provide autonomous microtransit service in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
May Mobility's autonomous vehicles (AVs) are scheduled to be integrated into SouthWest Transit's transportation ecosystem in the fall of this year, providing the public with an additional on-demand option for reliable transportation.
Looking to enhance its existing microtransit service, SouthWest Prime, with an innovative transportation solution, SouthWest Transit has signed a three-year contract with May Mobility.
May Mobility's AVs will connect the public to residential, employment and shopping districts while also providing essential first- and last-mile transportation to key mobility hubs in Eden Prairie.
Riders will be able to conveniently travel to and from pre-determined stops by using their current Prime mobile app, powered by Spare, a developer of on-demand transit software.
The service will also include a stop at the Southwest Light Rail, which connects downtown Minneapolis, downtown Saint Paul and places in between.
Over the last three years, Spare has powered SouthWest Transit's microtransit service.
Now, by leveraging the technology and expertise of both Spare and May Mobility, SouthWest Transit will be able to deliver an enhanced and highly reliable transportation experience to their current riders in Eden Prairie and expand those services to those who currently don't have access.
Erik Hansen, CEO of SouthWest Transit, says:“We're excited to be the first to bring this innovative transit solution to the Twin Cities.
“By expanding on our wildly popular Southwest Prime microtransit service, we will stay on the cutting edge and ensure that we can provide a premium transit service for years to come.”
May Mobility will deploy five wheelchair-accessible AVs that feature an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp and securement system.
By using a fully wheelchair-accessible fleet, the service will give both wheelchair users and other riders greater access to safe, convenient and comfortable transportation.
Manik Dhar, chief commercial officer for May Mobility, says:“Our autonomous driving technology has proven its ability to scale well across diverse circumstances and even navigate under the state's harsh winter climates.
“Our experience in deploying safe and equitable autonomous rides will enhance the city's public transportation system and connect even more people to essential destinations both near and far.”
Kristoffer Vik Hansen, co-founder and CEO at Spare, says:“SouthWest Transit's embrace of autonomous vehicles truly sets a standard in transportation innovation.
“We're excited to collaborate with May Mobility and SouthWest Transit, offering Minnesota residents a novel and, ultimately, more efficient way to travel.
“This partnership is extending the freedom of mobility to more people, especially those without access to a personal vehicle.”
SouthWest Transit and May Mobility plan to engage with the community in the upcoming months to educate future riders about autonomous vehicles and how the service will work.
The public will be able to see one of the vehicles up close at SouthWest Station during SouthWest Transit's public shuttle service to the Minnesota State Fair at the end of August.
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