A2GO, a Free Autonomous Shuttle Service, to Launch in Fall Season, Ann Arbor, MI, 2021

Ann Arbor SPARK, May Mobility, and Mcity have announced the launch of A2GO, a free autonomous shuttle service that will connect the State Street corridor, Kerrytown, and the University of Michigan campus, all near downtown Ann Arbor. Customers can request shared point-to-point rides through a proprietary app to be developed by May Mobility. A2GO’s fleet, also managed by May Mobility, will consist of four hybrid-electric Lexus RX 450h’s and one electric Polaris GEM. The Lexus cars can fit three passengers while the Polaris GEM can accommodate one passenger on a wheelchair. All vehicles will have an attendant when in operation. A2GO is funded largely through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, a grant program jointly hosted by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

As seen with this program and a few others, AVs can be a valuable tool in first-last-mile efforts for downtown areas in the hopes of stimulating commerce. As AV programs become more widely adopted, it will be important to observe how they integrate into larger transportation networks.

Last updated June 1, 2021