Peruse the list of companies with permits to test self-driving vehicles in California, and you’ll find many of the world’s biggest automakers, such as Ford, Honda and Mercedes-Benz.

You’ll also find major tech companies, including Apple and Nvidia, plus a host of startups developing autonomous cars.

Then there’s Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation.

The San Francisco company does not make cars. Nor is it a technology firm with coders deeply versed in the programming needed for robotic vehicles.

Instead, it runs shuttle buses for technology firms, ferrying those coders to and from work. Clients have included Cisco Systems, Electronic Arts, Intuit and Zynga. It also offers charter buses and limos.

Of the 36 companies that have so far received California permits to test autonomous vehicles on public roads, Bauer’s appears to be unique. At least one other business on the list — France’s Navya — plans to test robotic shuttle buses, and several propose creating robotic taxi fleets in the future. But none of the other companies currently makes its money shuttling passengers (although Ford owns San Francisco shuttle service Chariot).

So, will Bauer’s try to develop its own self-driving technology, which would be a major departure? Or will it team up with another firm already working on autonomous vehicles? The company isn’t saying. CEO Gary Bauer did not return several phone calls seeking comment.

And while Bauer’s has a permit for testing, the company has not registered any vehicles or test drivers with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a department spokeswoman said. The state’s regulations require a trained human seated behind the wheel, ready to take control, any time an autonomous car drives on a public street.

Bauer’s has more than 200 chauffeurs driving various sizes of buses, vans and limousines, according to its website.

The company’s shuttle bus drivers are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which they voted to join last year. Doug Bloch, political director of Teamsters Joint Council 7, said the union was aware that Bauer’s had received an autonomous vehicle testing permit but did not know the company’s plans.

Back to Gallery Shuttle bus operator Bauer’s gets self-driving test permit 2 1 of 2 Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, Special to The Chronicle 2 of 2 Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle



The advent of autonomous cars and trucks has become a major concern for the union and its members, he said.

“I don’t think our people who work for Bauer’s feel any different than anyone else who drives a truck or bus,” Bloch said. “They’re scared. They’re concerned.”

An estimated 4 million Americans who drive for a living could lose their jobs to autonomous vehicles, he said. If, however, the technology also creates jobs, the Teamsters want to place as many of their people in those new positions as possible, he said.

“We want our members to have those jobs, whatever they are,” Bloch said. “The Teamsters are not against innovation, but we don’t want to be casualties.”

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF