The City constantly plans for the future. With 94 million cars coming through Altamonte Springs every year, creating alternative ways for our residents to get around is key. Having different options available to connect you to where you want to go ensures that your quality of life is enriched and that property values remain stable.
Focusing on convenience and ways to save you time, the City pioneered a number of high-profile projects over the years so we are "future-ready." Altamonte Springs’ leadership believes that mobility alternatives are essential to meeting the needs of our community. The City:
- Founded the Central Florida Commuter Rail Authority, which is now SunRail.
- Did You Know? The commuter rail authority’s first office was in Altamonte Springs City Hall.
- Developed the first demand-response pilot in the U.S. in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration and the State of Florida.
- Launched the first community-wide mobility partnership in the world with Uber.
- Created the Municipal Mobility Working Group to expand the Uber pilot program to Seminole and Orange County cities, eventually moving 186,000 residents.
The State of Florida’s Department of Transportation (FDOT) chose the City to serve as a testbed to pilot an autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle program and provide data on how to implement the technology in other municipalities. Altamonte Springs was selected by the state because of our history of successful innovation.
To onboard this new pilot project, the FDOT awarded a service development grant which provides 50% of $2.4 million for the first three years of operation from funds that can only be spent on testing this type of transportation technology.
CraneRIDES
Later this summer and into the fall, the City is launching CraneRIDES, a cutting-edge AV shuttle pilot aimed at providing convenient and sustainable transport options to connect people to major activity centers. Residents and visitors who live, work and play in Altamonte Springs can hop on to experience the future of this emerging technology. Though Altamonte Springs is at regional crossroads where millions drive through each year, now residents and visitors will have alternatives to get around easily while saving time by avoiding congested roads or having to park multiple times. AV shuttle stops will be convenient to your destination.
In addition to providing convenience for residents and visitors, CraneRIDES also promotes sustainable economic development in the City by connecting people with businesses, residential communities and employment centers.
This forward thinking is why Altamonte Springs was:
- Voted 19th Best Small City in the U.S. for Starting a Business by WalletHub.
- Ranked 33rd Best Place to Live in the U.S. by Money magazine.
- One of only three cities in Florida and the only Central Florida city in the top 50 by Money magazine.
How It Works
The City selected Beep to operate CraneRIDES. Beep, headquartered in Lake Nona, is a leading provider of electric autonomous shuttles. This emerging transportation technology provides passengers with a safe, reliable, clean, sustainable and efficient transit option.
Initially, two shuttles are programmed to travel on a fixed route through Uptown Altamonte, stopping at four locations adjacent to popular shopping and recreation destinations. Riders are able to track the shuttle locations in real-time with the RideBeep app. The shuttles are 100% electric and carry more passengers than a traditional automobile. A trained attendant rides in each shuttle to enhance the rider experience. They can answer questions, resolve technical issues and drive the vehicle with an onboard controller, if needed.
The corridor is marked with high-visibility signage and shuttle icons painted on the pavement. The AV shuttle is restricted to streets with lower traffic flow and within the defined project area and route. The shuttles will not operate on S.R. 436 or cross over I-4.
What’s to Come
CraneRIDES will be built over multiple phases. The future phases expand the AV shuttle route to key destinations. Year One is anchored by the Altamonte Mall near Seasons 52, with initial stops at the Renaissance Centre, Cranes Roost Boulevard near the Cortland Uptown Altamonte apartments and AMC Theatre. Miller’s Ale House, Bahama Breeze, Palm Springs Center and the AdventHealth Altamonte campus are connected in Year Two. In Year Three, the route will extend to the Altamonte SunRail station, Central Parkway, Emerson Plaza, Sanctuary at CenterPointe and future restaurants and retail.
Altamonte Springs is already a great place to live. Now, we are even better. With this initiative, the City takes the next step forward by investing in our future and proving local governments can think outside the box and work effectively with global technology partners to deliver convenient alternative transit solutions to our community.
Shuttle Features:
- The AV shuttle travels up to 15 mph on the pre-defined route.
- The climate-controlled AV shuttle holds eight (8) passengers or five (5) passengers and one (1) wheelchair passenger. The shuttle is compliant with all applicable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
- Internal announcements are delivered in visual and audible formats in English and Spanish.
- An attendant is on the shuttle to provide a high-quality passenger experience.
Uptown Altamonte Stops:
- Altamonte Mall
- Renaissance Centre
- Cranes Roost
- AMC Theatre
Schedule:
- Sunday - Thursday | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. & 5 - 9 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. & 5 - 10 p.m.
For More Information: Altamonte.org/CraneRIDES
