On April 24, 2023, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) launched the Bay Area’s first autonomous shuttle program open to the public. The shuttle service, called PRESTO, is available to the community Monday through Friday from 7:30am-5:30pm. The pilot program will run through fall 2023, providing free, electric shuttles to four key destinations within Bishop Ranch in San Ramon.
The program is funded in part by an $8 million grant award from the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) program. CCTA is also partnering with Beep, which specializes in testing autonomous shuttles.
PRESTO shuttles hold up to eight passengers plus an attendant and have a maximum speed limit of 15 miles per hour. The 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.
CCTA plans to bring shuttles to several public events across the county in summer 2023 to make it easier for people to see and experience autonomous shuttles first-hand.
