May Mobility in Ann Arbor, a company specializing in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, is working with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) in Martinez, Calif., to enhance its health care-related microtransit service.
The company was selected to provide on-demand transportation for staff, patients, their families, and others in the surrounding community. The goal of the service is to reduce medical appointment cancellations and absences due to a lack of convenient, accessible transportation.
CCTA intends to integrate May Mobility’s autonomous vehicle technology into its existing transportation network, expanding the authority’s autonomous fleet. The fleet will include seven vehicles, three of which will be wheelchair-accessible models that feature an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp and securement system.
This autonomous microtransit service will be powered by Via, a global specialist in TransitTech. Riders will be able to book an on-demand AV ride through the Via-powered May Mobility app (Google Play or App Store) or by calling a telephone number. Via’s AI-based booking and routing algorithms are designed to match riders headed in the same direction into one AV to create efficient shared trips.
“May Mobility is thrilled to work with our partners at CCTA to improve access to transportation for public health facilities,” says Manik Dhar, chief commercial officer for May Mobility. “Our on-demand, autonomous microtransit is a perfect solution to aid CCTA’s efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and equity by helping patients get to and from their medical appointments on time. This opportunity further proves that autonomous vehicle technology can fill the gaps in public transportation.”
May Mobility already has taken steps to prepare for service in the state, securing its autonomous vehicle testing permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which allows AV testing that is supervised by a human operator.
In addition to stops at local medical facilities, the deployment plans to include stops that enhance transit connectivity. May Mobility, Via and CCTA will continue to identify stops that connect the community with local points of interest and public health facilities that will improve the quality of life for county residents.
“CCTA is excited to partner with May Mobility on this initiative,” says Timothy Haile, executive director for CCTA. “Their experience serving communities with accessible first and last mile microtransit services makes them the perfect partner for this project. Improved access to transportation was a direct ask from our community. They need reliable, on-demand transit to help them take care of their needs and improve their quality of life. May Mobility worked with us to design a service that provides accessibility and flexibility to serve the healthcare needs of our community and beyond.”
When this deployment goes live, estimated by early 2024, May Mobility will have active operations in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, and Arizona.
