ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. \u2014 Beep, the operator of Altamonte Springs\u2019 CraneRIDES shuttle service around the Altamonte Mall and Crane\u2019s Roost Park, said it would be launching a newly expanded shuttle system that will deliver passengers to and from the city\u2019s SunRail station.<\/p>\n
Company executives said the new service would begin operations in January.<\/p>\n
The Phase 3 expansion to the city\u2019s SunRail station represents an additional mile for the SUV-size vehicles, which began carrying passengers in 2023. The expansion will also include the north side of Crane\u2019s Roost near the Majesty Building, commonly known as the \u201cI-4 Eyesore.\u201d<\/p>\n
The land around that building has been developing rapidly with new apartments, plus office and retail space as the city grows its downtown core.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re simply excited that our residents and our businesses will have another way to get east and west in our city,\u201d City Manager Frank Martz said.<\/p>\n
The new vehicles Beep and the city are purchasing for this rollout are considered the next generation of self-driving shuttles. Whereas the traditional Beep cars travel up to 15 mph, the new generation will top out around 45 mph.<\/p>\n
Altamonte Springs will be the first city in North America to get this technology, with Atlanta also planning to launch a shuttle line in its downtown in January.<\/p>\n
In time, Martz said, all the CraneRIDES shuttles will be rotated out to this next generation.<\/p>\n
Martz said the new technology will be part of the city\u2019s Global Innovation Lab outreach to local students interested in STEM fields.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese projects prove that autonomous public transit is no longer tomorrow\u2019s promise. It\u2019s today\u2019s reality,\u201d Beep CEO Kevin Reid said.<\/p>\n
Funding for the expansion is being provided by the state.<\/p>\n
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