News
WRTA approves contract for autonomous vehicle
The vehicle is part of a contract with First Transit and is funded by the Federal Transit Administration.
Thursday, September 30th 2021, 5:28 PM EDT
Updated:
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - WRTA approved a contract for the purchase of an autonomous vehicle during a board meeting on Thursday.
The vehicle is part of a contract with First Transit and is funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
It will act as a demonstration project to demonstrate the abilities of a self-driving vehicle. The vehicle is expected to begin running between between March and May of 2022. First Transit will be paid monthly for use of the vehicle.
The vehicle's route will run from Federal Station up Fifth Ave. to Park Ave. to Mercy Health.
The vehicle will only be active for one year, however, WRTA has another autonomous vehicle project in the works. This project is not expected to begin until 2023 or 2024.
