Wichita Transit looks into self-driving shuttles program

You could soon see autonomous vehicles in Wichita.

The city's transit department is talking with the company Navya about trading two Q-Line trolleys for two self-operating shuttles.

Wichita Transit Director Mike Trann says the vehicles would seat 15 people each. A staff member would still be on board to take control if the autonomous system had an issue.

The city says it would cost $100,000 to launch the pilot program.

Once the city council approves the program, Trann says it would take the company six weeks to get the system deployed.

Trann says staff members are working on a proposal to put before the city council. If it's approved, he hopes to have the vehicles up and available to the public by Memorial Day.