Contra Costa has launched its second Presto autonomous shuttle service that increases transportation access for seniors with Beep, a provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions.
Contra Costa County is in the US state of California, in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area and with a population or around 1.2 million. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is the county’s public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax programme and oversee transportation planning. CCTA is responsible for delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programmes that connect the county’s communities.
CCTA said that, with the launch, residents of the active senior Rossmoor 55+ community can now take advantage of the free pilot shuttle programme aimed at providing easy, stress-free and emission-free transportation. The shuttle runs on a pre-programmed loop during the week and has a trained attendant on board.
“CCTA is proud to offer nationally-recognised mobility solutions, while also championing local communities, making it easier and safer to travel,” said Newell Arnerich, chairman of CCTA. “We chose Rossmoor to pilot an alternative to driving so residents can maintain activities that keep them socially connected while experiencing a cutting-edge transportation network.”
As a spacious gated community, CCTA said that Rossmoor is an ideal testing ground for an autonomous vehicle programme. Driven by Oxa, a global provider of self-driving vehicle software, the shuttles carry seven seated and secured passengers, plus a trained attendant to provide riders with a safe and informed experience. The shuttle network is also remotely monitored by the Beep Command Centre to ensure operational safety at all times.
By demonstrating at Rossmoor, CCTA said it can learn what works best for the 55+ community. Passenger feedback will help shape the future of the technology, as federal transportation officials plan to use Presto pilot data to advance standards in automated mobility. The pilot is funded by a grant from the US Department of Transportation.
“This collaboration underscores our shared vision [with CCTA] of leveraging innovative technologies and services to enhance community access to first- and last-mile transportation,” said Joe Moye, chief executive of Beep.
Beep delivers autonomous, electric and shared mobility networks through its AI-enabled AutonomOS software platform and mobility-as-a-service offerings. Specialising in planning, deploying and managing autonomous transportation services for private and public communities, Beep safely connects people, places, goods and services with solutions that reduce congestion, eliminate carbon emissions, improve roadway safety and enable mobility for all.
Rossmoor is the second site where CCTA has launched an autonomous vehicle pilot. The first of four proposed pilots was launched in 2023 by CCTA at Bishop Ranch business park in San Ramon. To date, the Bishop Ranch autonomous shuttles have safely transported more than 1,600 passengers.
CCTA is expected to introduce a future autonomous vehicle programme in the City of Martinez later this summer.
