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Oviedo exploring autonomous shuttle to clear up traffic

, Fla. — The city of Oviedo has a new solution to clear up congestion on some streets, but it doesn’t include expanding any roads.

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City leaders are exploring an autonomous shuttle option.

But people are skeptical, including the mayor, saying they’re just not sure enough people will use the shuttle on a regular basis to actually make a difference.

The shuttle would connect uptown to city hall.

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The mayor said expanding the roads is out of the question because it would cost millions to move power lines, and that’s not in the budget.

“I can’t conceive … where I would sit still for 15 minutes waiting for an autonomous shuttle to come pick me up to take me someplace I could have gotten 5 minutes faster if I would have just rode my bike.”

Sladek said residents should consider changing the way they travel.

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“If you can figure out how to wrap your brain around biking or walking, give it a try, just give it a try,” she said.

She’s not alone in her skepticism.

“I’ve got three kids here, so I’m not going to be jumping on a shuttle to come to the park,” resident Evan Futato said. “I’m going to drive myself.”

Others are not keen on biking where they need to be.

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“People go to bike on their leisure time,” resident Nabil Besile said. “I don’t think they’re going to use a bike to go to work.”

The yearly cost to run the autonomous shuttle is more than $250,000.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.