Toronto Is Getting Self-Driving Shuttles To Make Your Commute Way Faster This Spring

They're freakily futuristic. 😲
Toronto Is Getting Self-Driving Shuttles To Make Your Commute Way Faster
Joshua Wanyama | Dreamstime cityoftoronto | Twitter
Contributor

Your commute could soon involve rides around Toronto in a self-driving car.

In an announcement made on Wednesday, the City of Toronto introduced Olli 2.0 — a self-driving shuttle that will hit the streets of the city come spring 2021.

The shuttle will provide service in between the West Rouge neighbourhood and Rouge Hill GO station.

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We are continuing to move our city forward on many fronts including micro transit.

Mayor John Tory

The cars will fit up to eight passengers.

Every shuttle will be equipped with an accessibility ramp, as well as audio and visual announcements.

There will also be an "on-board safety steward" on every trip, who can take manual control of the shuttle at any time, as well as a customer service ambassador from TTC or Metrolinx.

Olli 2.0 is part of Toronto’s Automated Vehicles Tactical Plan and Readiness 2022, which is the first plan of its kind in any North American city.

"This innovative project will provide valuable insight, while embracing innovation that could help us build a better, more sustainable and equitable transportation network," said Mayor Tory upon announcing the new project.

The shuttles will run for 6 to 12 months, on a trial period.

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  • Abby Neufeld
    Abby Neufeld was a writer at Narcity Canada. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Professional Communications at the University of Victoria. Her past work has been published in The Toronto Star, Bitch Media, Canadian Dimension, This Magazine, and more. In 2019, Abby co-founded The New Twenties, an environmentally-focused literary and arts magazine.

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