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Driverless Busses Coming Soon to Orlando Theme Parks

If you’re getting around in downtown Orlando, you’ll soon have another transportation option at your disposal. If driving in the heart of the city sounds like a nightmare to you then you’re in luck because Orlando has recently unveiled a way to get around that’s unlike any other. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer hosted a luncheon recently to promote the city’s newest transportation method and discuss the possibility for the future.

Swan Shuttle
Credit: Lake Nona

Introducing Swan, the self-driving bus! The city of Orlando has partnered with Beep to bring a futuristic public transportation option to the heart of the city. Beep is a next generation transportation company that produces both public and private shuttles in a forward-looking and environmentally friendly way. All Beep shuttles are fully automated and electric. The city of Orlando partnered with the self-driving vehicle company to bring one of their shuttles to Orlando and it is set to debut on August 20, 2023. 

Credit: Lake Nona

During the luncheon Orlando Mayor Dyer along with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demmings showed off the new shuttle and revealed that it would be called the Swan Shuttle. The small white bus will circle the street of Creative Village in a route that will take approximately 15 minutes. Even more exciting, it will be completely free! 

Jacques Coulon, Orlando’s Transportation Planning Manager said, “Once it’s running, ride it. But don’t just ride it, give us feedback,” “We want to know what did you love about it, what didn’t feel quite right, what we need to adjust. Transit only works when it’s comfortable, accessible and more convenient than driving your car.”

https://twitter.com/citybeautiful/status/1689269996323565568?s=19

The city will begin with just one shuttle as a pilot program in order to test out the idea of a self-driving bus but they hope to expand the program to cover more areas, including the tourism corridor and areas surrounding major theme parks. Mayor Demmings shared his thoughts on tourism use saying, “look for the prospects…of not just having Beep and autonomous vehicles downtown but also in our International Drive corridor,” he said. “The prospects for that are great.”

Swan Shuttle
Credit: City of Orlando

This means driverless busses could be coming to “the theme park part of town” in the very near future. We can’t wait to try out the Swan Shuttle for ourselves. Confession: we don’t always stay at a Universal Resort hotel when we visit the theme park. The convenience of a free shuttle we can feel good about environmentally rather than dealing with Universal’s hectic (and expensive) parking situation is something we greatly look forward to.  We will keep an eye on the shuttle and bring you updates as they develop. 

 

Jill Bivins

Jill Bivins has been visiting Disney Parks since she was 2 years old and loves sharing her Disney adventures with the world. She likes to say Disney is in her blood and writing is in her bones — so any time she has the opportunity to combine these loves she is one happy camper! She has a deep abiding love for Epcot and as a die hard Star Wars fan has a serious love for Hollywood Studios as well. When she isn't exploring or writing about Disney Parks, Jill is homeschooling her 8 year old son, playing with her brand… More »

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