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Boca Raton advances autonomous‑shuttle pilot; ADA access, budget questions remain
Summary
Public Works Director Zach Beere updated the CRA on the Boca Connect autonomous‑vehicle pilot Dec. 15, saying ridership has grown and service will expand after testing; commissioners asked staff for a budget and level‑of‑service analysis and pressed for ADA accommodations for the pilot.
Zach Beere, Boca Raton’s Public Works and Engineering Director, told the Community Redevelopment Agency on Dec. 15 that the city’s Boca Connect on‑demand service has grown since its June 2024 launch and that an autonomous‑vehicle pilot is in active testing.
Beere said November ridership “surpassed, hit the 3,500 total passengers mark,” and described average wait times near 7 minutes 45 seconds. He said the autonomous‑vehicle pilot currently runs limited hours (Thursday–Sunday, roughly 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and that the city expects to amend the schedule after additional testing in late January and through the first quarter of 2026.
The discussion focused on two decisions staff asked the CRA to consider: whether to expand service coverage to the Barrier Island and whether to add vehicles during peak periods to preserve a target 10‑minute headway. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a budgetary analysis showing how many additional units would be needed, the estimated costs to acquire or operate them, and how autonomous shuttles and Boca Connect would interact.
The chair and commissioners also raised accessibility concerns. The chair noted the pilot vehicle “is not ADA accessible” and asked how people who need ADA service would be served. Beere said the Boca Connect contract requires an ADA‑compliant van as part of the overall service and that ADA service remains available while the autonomous vehicles are blended into the system.
Commissioners requested that staff return with a cost and level‑of‑service analysis and with operational reports used to model impacts on wait times and connection rates. Beere said staff can compile operational and budget reports and review potential schedules, level‑of‑service impacts and permit steps with federal regulators as the pilot progresses.
The CRA did not adopt a formal policy or vote on expansion during the meeting; staff was directed to produce analysis and continue monitoring performance.
