City, partners announce July 7 return of “The Connect" AV Shuttle with autonomous service

Free community shuttle service will re-launch on July 7 and become fully autonomous after 4-weeks, marking major milestone in public transit in Detroit
The Connect service will include expanded route and other upgrades
The $1.67 million grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) made the relaunch and expansion possible.

Mayor Mike Duggan, alongside the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) and key partners Bedrock, Michigan Central, and Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, and now the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), announced today the return of The Connect, an autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle pilot program initially launched last summer to offer sustainable transportation and address the growing need for efficient, modern transit options in urban areas.

This free public service is advancing into its next phase with enhanced autonomous operations and expanded route offerings. Trained safety operators will remain on board at all times to monitor operations and ensure rider safety.

With MDOT joining the ranks of partners, the relaunch was made possible by a $1.67 million grant that will support expanded service and technology upgrades. On Tuesday, June 17, Detroit City Council voted unanimously to approve the extension of The Connect and its transition to fully autonomous service.

Public operations will resume on July 7, 2025, with shuttles running Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM for the first four months. Regular service hours of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM will resume in November 2025.

The Connect AV shuttle service launched on August 13, 2024 as a pilot to test the technology and community interest. During the pilot, the shuttle was operated by a safety driver. Following a successful initial run, the service paused on January 31 to undergo next-generation upgrades and full autonomous functionality.

"Detroit has always been at the forefront of mobility innovation, and The Connect AV shuttle is another step toward making our city more accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly,” said Mayor Duggan. With the transition to full autonomous operation, we are not just embracing the future of transportation, we are leading it. This pilot reflects our commitment to delivering mobility solutions that benefit our residents and visitors alike."

"The Connect AV shuttle pilot is a testament to Detroit’s dedication to pioneering advanced transportation solutions,” said Tim Slusser, Chief of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation. By integrating autonomous technology into our mobility ecosystem, we’re improving connectivity, reducing emissions, and ensuring our city remains a leader in smart mobility. The feedback from our riders has been invaluable, and we’re excited to bring back an even more efficient and responsive service on July 7."

"Michigan is committed to the development of advanced mobility. The goal of projects like the Connect is to future-proof our roads for the next evolution in transportation," said Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer at OFME. "By reducing human error and enhancing predictive maintenance, autonomous technologies promise safer, more reliable transportation. We are glad to support the improvements to this service as it incorporates feedback from riders and becomes fully autonomous."

Key Connect Pilot Program Updates

After a four-week ramp-up period, The Connect service will become fully autonomous in early August 2025. This will eliminate manual driving while ensuring that trained safety operators remain behind the wheel at all times, marking a major step in advancing AV technology tailored to Detroit's urban environment Additionally, the Liftango app is available for riders to download and use to track shuttles in real-time, plan routes, and receive arrival estimates, enhancing overall accessibility.

As part of the program’s expansion, a fifth shuttle will join the fleet in Fall 2025 to further reduce wait times and improve service efficiency. Ridership data has demonstrated strong engagement, and community feedback has played a critical role in shaping the service. A comprehensive report analyzing ridership patterns is underway, and key updates will continue to be made to improve service efficiency and user experience. Based on demand and feedback, The Connect’s updated route will be rolled out with the return of the service, ensuring better connectivity for riders.

Connect Shuttle Details:

Service Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM for the first four months, then will return to 7:00AM- 7:00PM in November 2025
Frequency: Shuttles arrive approximately every 10-15 minutes during peak hours
Tracking: Real-time tracking is available via the Liftango app or web platform
Route: A loop connecting Michigan Central, Downtown Detroit, and the East Jefferson Riverfront

Real-Time Tracking and Accessibility:

Riders can track the shuttles in real-time and get estimated times of arrival via the Liftango web platform, which is accessible via mobile devices or desktop. Video tutorials and user guides for the platform is available on official website: liftango.com.

Route Map and Stop List:

The updated 10.8-mile two-way route links Michigan Central in Corktown to Bedrock's 200 Walker Street, with several new stops included to meet community needs. Stops include Michigan Central, Rosa Parks Transit, Greening of Detroit, Rivertown Neighborhood, and HoneyBee Market, among others.

Full Stop List/Updated Map:

Michigan Central (Eastbound)
Michigan & Rosa Parks
Michigan & 8th (Eastbound) (New)
Michigan & 3rd (Eastbound) (New)
The Greening of Detroit (Eastbound) (New)
Coleman A Young Municipal Center (Eastbound)
Larnard @ Rivertown Market (Eastbound) (New)
Atwater & Millikan State Park (Eastbound)
Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (Westbound)
Rivertown Neighborhood (Westbound) (New)
Jos Campau & Wight (Westbound)
Atwater & Dequindre Cut (Westbound)
East Jefferson @ Rivertown Market (Westbound) (New)
Woodward, Campus Martius (Westbound)
Grand Circus Park (Westbound) (New)
Rosa Parks Transit (Westbound) (New)
Michigan Third Street Park (Westbound) (New)
Michigan & Trumbull (Westbound) (New)
Bagley Mobility Hub (Westbound)
HoneyBee Market (New)

A Collaborative Effort to Shape the Future of Mobility

The Connect is a partnership between the City of Detroit, Bedrock, Michigan Central, and the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), with Perrone Robotics providing AV technology and operations.

The program is made possible through initial funding of $1.5 million from Michigan Central, Bedrock, and OFME, alongside an additional $1.67 million secured from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to enhance the service. This funding has facilitated the addition of a fifth shuttle, reduced wait times, and extended the pilot program for an additional year.

“We’re proud to support innovative projects like The Connect that bring together technology, equity, and sustainability in public transportation,” said Jean Ruestman, Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Passenger Transportation administrator. “This investment reflects our commitment to advancing smart infrastructure and creating safe, accessible mobility options that meet the needs of Michigan communities today and into the future.”

“Innovation is at the cornerstone of a thriving city and The Connect harnesses the power of technology to create a more efficient and sustainable community,” said Kevin Mull, Bedrock Senior Director, Urban Strategy & Innovation. “It is critical that we invest in accessibility and connectivity initiatives like this, as it will set the stage for mobility advancements now and in the years to come.”

"At Michigan Central, we're focused on driving innovation that makes a real impact in people's lives. The Connect shuttle is a great example of how emerging technologies can help build a more accessible and inclusive transportation future right here in Detroit," said Carolina Pluszczynski, Chief Operating Officer and Head of the Innovation Ecosystem at Michigan Central. "We are proud to support projects that not only advance mobility but also ensure people can benefit from these advancements."

“We are honored to partner with the City of Detroit and its visionary team to bring full autonomous operation to a fleet of Ford E-Transit vans, the first such deployment for public transit in the nation. This milestone showcases not only the maturity of our technology, but the power of public-private collaboration to deliver safe, sustainable, and smart mobility solutions for everyday riders,” said Paul Perrone, CEO, Perrone Robotics.

Community Engagement:

Continuous feedback from riders will continue to shape service enhancements. Adjustments have already been made to improve connectivity and address community needs. The updated route and stop list reflect insights gathered from the community, ensuring the Connect remains an accessible and efficient transit solution.

For more information about the Connect pilot project and to access the shuttle tracking platform, please visit detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/office-mobility-innovation/connect-av-shuttle-service.

About the City of Detroit's Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI):

The Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) exists to help the City of Detroit navigate the rapidly changing transportation and mobility industries. Transportation and mobility are essential for both people and businesses and Detroit’s automotive heritage provides an unparalleled opportunity to work with industry to innovate and define their future.

OMI leads mobility advancement efforts on behalf of the City of Detroit and collaborates with industry, academia, philanthropy, and local, state and federal government. By centering residents in every step of the process, OMI is focused on leveraging mobility as a pathway to opportunity in Detroit.

For additional information about OMI, please visit https://detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/office-mobility-innovati… or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube and Instagram.

About Michigan Central:

Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit, where leaders, thinkers, communities, and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that shape our collective future. By providing access to world-class infrastructure, tools, and resources, Michigan Central inspires innovators and community members to collaborate on real, ground-breaking solutions to global problems. Since opening in April 2023, Michigan Central has grown into a diverse ecosystem of about 2,000 employees from nearly 250 companies and startups working at the intersection of mobility and society.

About Bedrock:

Bedrock is an award-winning real estate developer focused on comprehensive city building initiatives in Detroit and Cleveland. Its work includes creating iconic cityscapes, rehabilitating historic properties and making space for the community—all with the philosophy to operate for more than profit.

Since 2011, Bedrock has invested and committed more than $7.5 billion to develop and restore more than 140 properties, totaling over 21 million square feet of office, retail, residential, hospitality, industrial, data centers and parking. In 2024, Bedrock was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company.

For additional information about Bedrock, please visit BedrockDetroit.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

About State of Michigan's Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME)

Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification works across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses. Learn more at MichiganBusiness.org/ofme

About Perrone Robotics

Perrone is a leading provider of autonomous vehicle systems. The company delivers mobility excellence via TONY® (short for "TO Navigate You"), a vehicle independent retrofit kit for use in the autonomous transit of people and goods in geo-fenced and localized operations. TONY embeds inside any vehicle type or model, for any job application to provide a complete "artificial driver" solution that brings full autonomy in a safety certifiable framework. Proven, piloted, and in commercial production, Perrone autonomous systems help commercial, municipal, and governmental customers increase transportation efficiencies, enhance safety, and accelerate zero-emission electric vehicle deployment. The company also offers a portfolio of existing turnkey autonomous shuttles and vehicles pre-integrated with the TONY AV-Retrofit kit.