During a demonstration March 6, representatives from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), EasyMile and the Bishop Ranch business park gathered in San Ramon, Calif., to announce the launch of a pilot project utilizing two shuttles as a first mile/last mile (FM/LM) mobility solution. The two shuttles, costing $250,000 each, will begin testing in an empty lot at the business park and will eventually move to an adjacent occupied lot. To abide by current state law, the pilot will transport people across the business park without crossing public streets.
“We need another mode of transportation,” said CCTA Executive Director Randy Iwasaki. “We need a first and last mile solution.” Transportation planning has for a long time been thought of in silos. There have been plans focusing on rebuilding highways, expanding light rail transit or implementing a bike-sharing system.