GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The city of Grand Rapids is taking a big step toward the future of transportation this week.

The city will officially launch its driverless vehicle transportation system Friday, July 25, which will feature four autonomous shuttles with five passenger seats each.

Dubbed the Grand Rapids Autonomous Vehicle Initiative, the system will take passengers along a downtown Grand Rapids bus route spanning from the east to the west side of the vicinity.

The one-year, $650,000 pilot program aims to assess the barriers and benefits of implementing further self-driving shuttle services in the city. The primary partner on the project is Ann Arbor-based May Mobility.

After being in test mode for about six weeks, the driverless cars will hit the road this week and run through July 2020.

The driverless transportation system, which will run five days a week, is the first autonomous vehicle route in Michigan that is open to the general public, said Ed Olson, CEO of May Mobility, at a press conference Thursday.

We’re kicking off the Grand Rapids Autonomous Vehicle Initiative. Shout-out to our partners for helping to making this happen: Consumers Energy, Faurecia, Gentex Corporation, May Mobility, Michigan Economic Development Corporation's PlanetM, Rockford Construction, Seamless, Start Garden and Steelcase. #AVGR Posted by The City of Grand Rapids on Thursday, July 25, 2019

The four-car transportation system is also the most complex autonomous vehicle route in the world with more than 20 stops, he said.

The 3.2-mile route has stops near more than 10 parking lots, as well as the David D. Hunting YMCA, Kendall College of Art & Design, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Van Andel Arena and Bridge Street Market. It follows the existing DASH West route.

The cars will operate Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and have a top speed of 25 miles per hour.

Anyone who wants a ride from the driverless vehicle is welcome to do so – no reservations needed. The cars are free to ride.

The autonomous vehicles will have an attendant on board when they are on Grand Rapids streets.

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss encouraged Grand Rapids residents to check out the new vehicles and share their experiences on social media with the hashtag, #AVGR.

“This is an opportunity for us to learn together and chart our way for the future, and we want to spread the word,” she said at the press conference.

The pilot program is a partnership with nine Michigan companies, including May Mobility, Consumers Energy, Faurecia, Gentex, Rockford Construction, Seamless, Steelcase and Start Garden.

Of the $650,000 price tag, Grand Rapids will pay $250,000 and private-sector partners will pick up the remaining $400,000.

During its year-long pilot program, the Grand Rapids autonomous vehicle will focus on four areas: Feasibility, accessibility, safety and community, according to a news release.