Get creative during the goMARTI song contest

The new, self-driving shuttle program in Grand Rapids called goMARTI is going strong so far.

goMARTI (Minnesota’s Autonomous Rural Transit Initiative) covers nearly 17 square miles and includes approximately 70 pickup and drop off points with a fleet of five May Mobility autonomous vehicles, including three wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

The free, on-demand rides can be requested through the app. Additionally, the local First Call 211 service will both help individuals download and navigate the app, as well as place ride requests by phone.

The vehicles are considered self-driving, but there will be an autonomous vehicle operator onboard at all times who verifies the safe operation of the vehicle and aids passengers as needed.

To get even more community engagement, they have launched a song contest.

Myrna Peterson, from Mobility Mania, shared, “We want a two minute song, with a couple of verses and a refrain. Something catchy, so when people hear it, they say, Oh there’s goMARTI. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to send in ideas.”

They’re hoping to get the song all worked out by December. They’ve even hired a professional producer to help!

For more info about the contest: https://www.gomarti.com/songcontest