On Aug. 27, 2026, SporTran, the transit agency serving Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, unveiled an autonomous public bus called SporTran Evolve. Local station KTBS reported it as Louisiana’s first autonomous public bus. It’s a pilot, with people still aboard.
| Item | What sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unveiling date | Aug. 27, 2026 | KTBS, Mass Transit |
| Vehicle | Electric, 12 seats, 360-degree sensors; maker not named | KTBS |
| Planned fleet | 15 buses | KTBS |
| Onboard staff | Driver and safety engineer during initial rollout | KTBS |
| Fare | Not stated | Coverage reviewed |
| Grant | Nearly $1 million, USDOT SMART program, awarded March 2024 | KTAL, Mass Transit |
What SporTran has announced
SporTran plans to deploy 15 Evolve buses in the pilot, according to KTBS. During the initial rollout, a bus driver will be on board at all times, along with a safety engineer. Mass Transit reports that certain pilot routes will have a trained onboard safety operator to monitor performance and help passengers.
The pilot is planned for the downtown district. Mass Transit says it connects key corridors, including a planned bus rapid transit medical corridor and the redeveloped entertainment district. SporTran hasn’t published route numbers or a timetable in the coverage reviewed.
SporTran CEO Dinero’ Washington told KTBS that bus drivers are not being taken away and that the agency needs additional staff to support the effort. He also said the autonomous buses are not expected to replace traditional heavy-duty buses.
How the pilot is funded
A U.S. Department of Transportation SMART grant of nearly $1 million backs SporTran’s work. KTAL reported in March 2024 that the award, called the EMPOWER project, was more than $995,000. That coverage says the money pays for curriculum and training for electric and autonomous transit. Mass Transit adds that Amalgamated Transit Union Local 558 is launching an autonomous workforce training program for local transit workers. The reports reviewed don’t say the grant pays for the buses themselves.
Why It Matters to You
- Downtown Shreveport riders may see Evolve buses on routes linking the planned medical corridor and the entertainment district, with a driver and safety engineer aboard.
- The pilot is planned. No schedule, route numbers or fare have been published, so check with SporTran before you plan a trip.
- Local transit workers are set to get autonomous training through the union program.
What we don’t know yet
The fare for Evolve isn’t stated. A resident quoted by KTBS said buses are free “like it is now,” but that describes current service, not a confirmed Evolve fare. The 15-bus figure is a plan, and no report says how many buses are running today. The vehicle maker, route list, schedule and pilot end date weren’t given. No safety data from Shreveport exists yet, and with a driver and engineer aboard, this pilot doesn’t show that the bus can run unsupervised. The grant described by KTAL funds training, and a claim that it pays for vehicles or a new operations facility couldn’t be confirmed. No source gives job-creation numbers.
Quick answers
Is the SporTran Evolve bus driverless? Not yet. KTBS reports that a bus driver and a safety engineer will be on board during the initial rollout.
Is the ride free? The coverage reviewed doesn’t state an Evolve fare. Check with SporTran before you plan a trip.
Will it replace human bus drivers? SporTran’s CEO says no. He told KTBS that drivers are not being taken away and that the agency needs more staff.
Who paid for it? A nearly $1 million USDOT SMART grant supports SporTran’s electric and autonomous transit effort. KTAL says it covers training and curriculum.
Sources
- KTBS: Shreveport unveils SporTran Evolve, Louisiana’s first autonomous public bus (Aug 27, 2026)
- Mass Transit: SporTran unveils Evolve autonomous vehicle pilot service (Aug 31, 2026)
- KTAL: SporTran recipient of nearly $1 million grant (Mar 25, 2024)