May Mobility, Via Team to Bring AVs to California

May Mobility has partnered with California’s Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to launch an autonomous vehicle (AV) microtransit service designed to improve access to healthcare in Martinez, Calif.

May Mobility and TransitTech provider Via have together been selected to provide on-demand transportation for staff, patients, their families, and others in the surrounding community. The service aims to reduce medical appointment cancellations and absences by filling the need for convenient, accessible  transportation in the region. 

CCTA’s AV Program

CCTA intends to integrate May Mobility’s AV technology into its  existing transportation network, expanding the authority's autonomous fleet. The  fleet will include seven vehicles, three of which will be wheelchair-accessible models that feature an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp and restraint system. 

The autonomous microtransit service will be powered by Via, enabling riders to be able to book an on-demand AV ride through the Via-powered May Mobility app (Google Play or App Store) or by calling a phone number. Via’s AI-based booking and  routing algorithms are designed to match riders headed in the same direction into one AV to create efficient shared trips.

“May Mobility is thrilled to work with our partners at CCTA to improve access to  transportation for public health facilities,” said Manik Dhar, CCO  for May Mobility. “May Mobility and Via’s on-demand, autonomous microtransit is a perfect solution to aid CCTA’s efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and equity by helping patients  get to and from their medical appointments on time. This opportunity further proves  that autonomous vehicle technology can fill the gaps in public transportation.”

Advancing the Project

May Mobility has already taken steps to prepare for service in the state, securing its AV testing permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which allows testing supervised by a human operator.

In addition to stops at local  medical facilities, the deployment plans to include a stop at the nearby Amtrak  station to extend the reach of the region’s existing mass transit. May Mobility, Via, and CCTA will continue to identify stops that connect the  community with local points of interest and public health facilities that will improve  the quality of life for county residents.

"CCTA is excited to partner with May Mobility on this initiative. Their experience  serving communities with accessible first and last-mile microtransit services makes  them the perfect partner for this project,” said Timothy Haile, executive director for CCTA. “Improved access to transportation was a direct ask from our community.  They need reliable, on-demand transit to help them take care of the essentials. May Mobility worked with us to design a service that provides accessibility and flexibility  to serve the healthcare needs of our community and beyond.”

When this deployment goes live, estimated toward the end of 2023, May Mobility will  have active operations in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, and Arizona.