New pilot project to use automated shuttles to take riders to Rouge Hill GO
Posted September 9, 2019 3:33 pm.
Last Updated September 9, 2019 3:43 pm.
Mayor John Tory has announced a new pilot project in Scarborough that will use automated shuttles to take riders from the West Rouge neighbourhood to the Rouge Hill GO train station.
The pilot will be the first in Toronto to use completely automated and electric transit vehicles and is expected go into effect in September of 2020.
It will be funded in partnership with the provincial and federal governments through Metrolinx and will allow the city to “better understand the feasibility of automated shuttles.”
According to a press release from the City, the automated shuttles typically seat between eight and 12 passengers and are designed for low-speed and low-volume environments.
They also say that despite a driver not being required to operate the vehicle, a TTC “ambassador” would staff the vehicle at all times during the pilot.
City council approved the pilot last year and public consultations for the project will begin this fall in order to finalize a route.
“Today’s announcement is another step towards building and expanding our transit system. The pilot for the automated shuttle will help residents access other transit options in the city and encourage more people to use our transit system,” said Tory in a release sent out by the city.
