SporTran launches Louisiana’s first self-driving bus New pilot program to expand across Shreveport-Bossier area SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - SporTran now has a self-driving bus, a first for the state of Louisiana. The new bus is part of a pilot program, and SporTran hopes to expand it across the Shreveport-Bossier area. Program starts with one bus The program starts with one bus that seats 12 passengers. It will cycle through different routes across the city. Right now, there is a driver behind the wheel to make sure everything runs smoothly. “We’re taking this first vehicle, and we’re putting drivers behind the wheel because we want to make sure the vehicle is doing everything it’s supposed to do,” said Dinero Washington, SporTran CEO. “That feedback will come back to us, and we’ll be able to provide the information we need to make sure we’re doing safe transportation in the Shreveport-Bossier market.” Federal grant funded the program The innovation was made possible through a nearly one-million-dollar federal grant. The U.S. Department of Transportation says hundreds of applicants applied nationwide. “It’s a major milestone for Shreveport to be able to pass all the rigorous, competitive testing it took to get this award, at this city, at this time,” said Seval Oz, U.S. Department of Transportation. Washington said the move creates more than a new way to get around. It’s also expected to create new jobs. “There will be new positions created,” Washington said. “Some new technologies that’s created that we’re using — we will drive these vehicles from the facility, such as SporTran City. In that facility, we have an operation control center. Part of the operation control center — those technicians in that center will be able to actually drive the vehicle and put it back on track.” Riders react to the new