May Mobility, a leader in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, has announced a collaboration with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to provide its microtransit service in Martinez, California. The partnership aims to enhance access to healthcare by offering on-demand transportation for medical staff, patients, their families, and the community. The goal is to reduce appointment cancellations and absences due to a lack of convenient transportation options.
CCTA plans to integrate May Mobility’s AV technology into its existing transportation network, expanding its autonomous fleet. The fleet will consist of seven vehicles, including three wheelchair-accessible models with ADA-compliant features. The microtransit service will be powered by Via, a global leader in TransitTech. Riders will be able to book on-demand AV rides through the Via-powered May Mobility app or by calling a dedicated phone number. Via’s advanced algorithms will match riders traveling in the same direction to create efficient shared trips.
Manik Dhar, Chief Commercial Officer for May Mobility, expressed excitement about the partnership with CCTA and the opportunity to improve healthcare outcomes and equity. May Mobility has already obtained an AV testing permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles and will identify stops to enhance transit connectivity, including local medical facilities and points of interest.
Timothy Haile, Executive Director for CCTA, emphasized the importance of improved transportation access for the community. He praised May Mobility’s experience in providing accessible microtransit services and their ability to design a service that meets the healthcare needs of the community. Meghan Grela, Autonomous Lead at Via, stated that this deployment aligns with their vision of AVs playing a critical role in creating efficient public transportation networks.
The deployment is expected to go live in early 2024, making it May Mobility’s fifth active operation location, in addition to California, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, and Arizona.
For more information about May Mobility, visit www.maymobility.com. To learn more about the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, visit ccta.net.
Source: May Mobility press release
