ANN
ARBOR, Mich., July 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- May Mobility, a leader in the development and
deployment of autonomous driving (AD) technology, and SouthWest
Transit, an award-winning transit agency serving the SouthWest Twin Cities, today announced they
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 3-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, the leader in
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.
"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," said
Erik Hansen, CEO of SouthWest
Transit.
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.
"Our autonomous driving technology has proven its ability to
scale well across diverse circumstances and even navigate under the
state's harsh winter climates," said Manik Dhar, chief
commercial officer for May Mobility. "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."
"SouthWest Transit's embrace of autonomous vehicles truly sets a
standard in transportation innovation," said Kristoffer Vik Hansen, co-founder and CEO at
Spare. "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.
About May Mobility
May Mobility develops
autonomous driving (AD) technology and deploys fleets of vehicles
to municipal and business customers as part of its mission to make
cities safer, greener and more accessible. Its Multi-Policy
Decision Making (MPDM) system sets it apart in the AV space. MPDM
analyzes thousands of potential scenarios every second, enabling it
to quickly make safe maneuvers even in newly experienced
situations. MPDM's proven track record has delivered more than
350,000 autonomous rides to date in public transit applications
across the U.S. and Japan. By
forming key strategic partnerships with top-class automotive and
technology companies, such as Toyota Motor Corporation and NTT, May
Mobility is successfully improving transportation across the globe.
For more information, visit www.maymobility.com.
About SouthWest Transit
SouthWest Transit is an
award-winning Transit agency serving the SouthWest Twin Cities area through fixed route
transportation, microtransit, and shuttle services. The agency is
committed to serving the needs of their customers through diverse
and innovative transit solutions that build the community and
connect customers from where they are to where they want to go.
Visit www.swtransit.org for more information, and follow along on
LinkedIn
About Spare
Spare specializes in providing transit
agencies with the technology to modernize ADA-paratransit systems and launch
microtransit services. The company focuses on enhancing
transportation access for underserved communities, offering a
comprehensive suite of software tools tailored to meet each
agency's unique requirements. Spare has powered over 14 million
rides globally and partners with top agencies such as SouthWest
Transit (Minnesota), DART
(Dallas), PSTA (Pinellas County),
AC Transit/BART (Oakland),
CapMetro (Austin), and Winnipeg
Transit. For more information, visit www.sparelabs.com.
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SOURCE May Mobility