DETROIT – Need a ride? An autonomous shuttle service will soon offer free rides in downtown Detroit.

“The Connect” is an autonomous shuttle vehicle (AV) pilot program that is scheduled to open to the public on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. It is a free, autonomous, and all-electric pilot program.

At the start of the program, the shuttles will be manually controlled, allowing the service to analyze potential route adjustments and test the autonomous capabilities needed for Downtown Detroit. Fully autonomous driving is expected later this year, but even then, a safety driver will always be at the wheel of the shuttles.

Detroit received an additional $1.67 million in funding from MDOT to be used to add a fifth shuttle and extend the pilot service for another year.

Is it free?

Yes. The fare is free for all passengers. When the pilot program opens to the public, it will launch with four all-electric, wheelchair-accessible Ford E-Transit shuttles.

When will it run?

The shuttles run Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. They run a 10.8-mile route from Corktown through Downtown Detroit to the East Jefferson Riverfront and back. Shuttles arrive approximately every 10 to 15 minutes during rush hours.

How to track the shuttle

Passengers can track the shuttles in real time and receive estimated arrival times.

For information on tracking the shuttles, see theconnect.liftango.com/home.

Route map of the autonomous shuttle

The project is a collaborative effort between the City of Detroit, Bedrock, Michigan Central, the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, and Perrone Robotics.