On April 24,
Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), in partnership with
Beep, Inc., and
Bishop Ranch and with support from the City of San Ramon, launched the first autonomous shuttle program open to the public in the Bay Area. The
Bishop Ranch Autonomous Shuttle Program will offer free passenger service between the
San Ramon Transit Center and
City Center through fall 2023, providing free, electric shuttle rides to four key destinations within Bishop Ranch.
Route in Google Maps
The Bishop Ranch Autonomous Shuttle Program marks 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.
CCTA has been testing autonomous shuttles at the GoMentum Station in Concord since 2016.
Beep, Inc. specializes in testing autonomous shuttles to create and manage stress-free and self-sufficient autonomous mobility solutions. Beep has tested autonomous shuttles around the country, including in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and even at Yellowstone National Park.
Through CCTA’s GoMentum Station, Beep has safely carried more than 105,000 passengers since the start of autonomous shuttle testing on public roads in September 2019.
San Ramon was one of the first cities in the country to test autonomous vehicles on public streets in 2018, in partnership with CCTA, Bishop Ranch, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
The launch of passenger service for the general public at Bishop Ranch uses the Navya autonomous vehicle: a high-occupancy, shared-used, low-speed neighborhood autonomous vehicle.
PRESTO shuttles do not have drivers, pedals, or a steering wheel, but an attendant 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.
The Bishop Ranch PRESTO shuttle will run a continuous loop around Bishop Ranch using public and private roadways, with four stops throughout Bishop Ranch and City Center, providing connectivity to the San Ramon Transit Center, City Center, and various corporate offices.
Shuttles will operate Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Shuttle service is free, and is available to the general public.
The shuttles carry up to eight passengers and one attendant per ride, and travel at a maximum speed of 15 MPH. Shuttles run every 20–25 minutes (more frequently during the lunch hours of 11 a.m.–2 p.m.). Passengers can board at any of the four stops and use the moovit app to track the vehicle. The service is family-friendly, but riders under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
More information on how to use the shuttles can be found at RidePRESTO.com.