Does Santa Cruz County need podcars?

In Santa Cruz County, daily and seasonal congestion stalls economic growth and community vitality. While progress has been made with private micro-transit (bikes, e-bikes, and scooters), two new technologies promise even bigger impacts: automated vehicles (robo-taxis) and Personal Rapid Transit (PRT, or podcars).

A community conversation is needed about weaving these new technologies into our transportation tapestry. Santa Cruz Personal Rapid Transit (SCPRT), Silicon Valley Clean Cities Coalition (SVCCC), and LoopWorks are organizing this public forum to discuss whether the promised value of adding robo-taxis and podcars is worth the expected costs.

Unlike common public meeting models that are tightly controlled, this forum will use an open-fishbowl format that allows attendees to participate in the conversation. The Forum will clarify for attendees and online viewers the long-term trends in public transit, and ignite community thinking about next steps.