The public transit system in Shreveport and Bossier City has a self-driving bus. It’s part of a pilot program funded by a $1 million federal grant. SporTran CEO Dinero Washington says some passengers might be scared to get on an autonomous bus, so they will still have a driver behind the wheel.
“Just to give people maybe comfort to maybe ride an autonomous vehicle; understanding sometimes they can take control of the vehicle if they feel something is going to happen,” Washington said.
The self-driving bus seats 12 people and it will be used to pick up and drop off passengers in Shreveport’s Medical and Entertainment districts. Washington says they expect to acquire additional autonomous buses.
“We are going to have a fleet of up to 15 over the next year and a half; we’re bringing on a new autonomous center that we’re building at the corner of Texas and Murphy in Shreveport. As soon as that center is built, we’ll be bringing on additional vehicles,” Washington explained.
More information can be found at www.sportran.org.