SporTran unveils plans for automated vehicles in Shreveport

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — SporTran is developing a series of automated vehicles that are set to come to the city as early as mid-2026.

SporTran Evolve is the company’s newest line of driverless vehicles. They will be rolled out starting in the Entertainment District and Medical Corridor of Shreveport.

“So, for next year, we want to start in those areas just as a trial period to see how it goes. And then if there are some other opportunities based on our community voice and just hearing back from patrons on how they feel about it, we may look at some other areas of furthering the services,” says Candace Bradford, Director of Marketing and Communication for SporTran.

SporTran is working with Benteler Steel and Holon, a German-based company, for the production of the vehicles.

The service will be free to use, just like SporTran’s other transportation services, to bring more options to the community.

“It just allows us to continue to move our community forward. Where we’re being innovative. We’re thinking outside the box and just giving our community something to look forward to,” Bradford shares.

If you are skeptical about getting into a vehicle with no driver, Bradford says they will have opportunities for users to see them in person.

“We’ll invite the community out to take a look where we’re actually able to see it in motion, you know, and get a, you know, maybe a closer look as to how it actually operates, to get people to feel a little more comfortable about, you know, a vehicle that may not have a driver,” she explains.

If you would like to see one of the SporTran Evolve vehicles for yourself, they will have a booth set up at the State Fair of Louisiana from October 31 to November 16, with a vehicle available for patrons to view.