Autonomous shuttles will be driving in downtown Austin this fall Community Impact Newspaper

It may not be the'Dillo shuttle many Austinites remember, but a new downtown circulator operated by autonomous vehicles will launch this fall in Austin. The autonomous, or self-driving, shuttles are part of a new technology-infused approach to transit that Capital Metro has been exploring in the past couple of years. "We just really want to start connecting the community closer together through technology and the services Capital Metro provides," President and CEO Randy Clarke said. Capital Metro will operate the pilot shuttle program, which has yet to be named, for 12 months, and rides will be free during that period. The agency will also be seeking bids from autonomous vehicle manufacturers to lease six vehicles for the program.