The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) has partnered with Beep Inc., on the launch of the Bishop Ranch Autonomous Shuttle Program. The shuttle program will run through fall 2023, providing free, electric shuttles to four key destinations within Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, Calif., becoming the Bay Area’s first autonomous shuttle program to be open to the public. The shuttle program will be available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The shuttle program begins the launch of CCTA’s PRESTO—a new suite of mobility options that will include bike share, scooter share and express bus service in addition to autonomous shuttles. PRESTO will prepare the Bay Area for the future of transportation and increase transit options for all, including transportation-challenged and underserved communities in Contra Costa County.
“We’re excited to be able to provide the public with free access to these zero-emission, low-speed, autonomous shuttles. The service can help cut down on harmful emissions, reduce congestion on our roads and create a new, accessible connection to transportation hubs throughout Contra Costa County, and we’re grateful to Bishop Ranch and the city of San Ramon for sharing our vision of a brighter future for the county,” said CCTA Board Chair Federal Glover.
The program is funded in part by an $8 million grant award from the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) program.
“We are proud to be a part of such a beneficial project, and we look forward to seeing members of the community trying out PRESTO on Bishop Ranch,” said Alex Mehran Jr., president and CEO of Bishop Ranch by Sunset Development Company. “CCTA is bringing impactful innovation to the everyday lives of people and will help positively impact how we all get around.”
The partnership marks Beep’s first west coast deployment. Beep has tested autonomous shuttles around the country, including in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and at Yellowstone National Park. This program provides employees, visitors and residents of Bishop Ranch an opportunity to experience autonomous mobility in Beep’s autonomous and electric shuttles. The four-stop route will provide connectivity to the San Ramon Transit Center, City Center and various corporate offices.
“Having the opportunity to work with a pioneering transportation authority like CCTA is both an honor and a natural partnership,” said Beep CEO Joe Moye. “Our expansion to the west coast, with a forward-thinking organization that truly understands the power of autonomous mobility testing, is a great step toward supporting public transit and addressing first and last-mile challenges in the state of California. The confidence CCTA is putting into Beep’s autonomous solutions further demonstrates our capabilities as a company and our reputation with major transportation authorities. We are thrilled to be working with CCTA, and we look forward to providing a safe and efficient autonomous mobility experience to passengers at Bishop Ranch.”
PRESTO shuttles have a maximum speed of 15 mph and holds up to nine passengers, including an attendant who is always on board to make sure riders have a safe and pleasant experience. The Beep Command Center also remotely monitors the shuttles at all times to ensure the shuttles are operating safely.
“It’s an honor to partner with CCTA to deliver autonomous mobility solutions to Bishop Ranch,” said Joe Moye, Beep CEO. “CCTA shares our commitment to bringing these innovative technologies to communities to test how shared autonomous mobility can transform how we access goods and services. Our autonomous shuttles in San Ramon will provide all members of the community access to key destinations and opportunities at Bishop Ranch.”
Beep and CCTA will partner on delivering autonomous mobility at an additional site early next year. Both projects will provide CCTA with valuable insight in developing services with autonomous vehicles that will soon underpin dynamic mobility networks in campuses, communities and city centers throughout the county.
