This announcement of Glydways coming to Richmond looks like a big deal, but it’s not. Richmond is simply being used. The actual plan for Glydways is a 28-mile system linking Brentwood and Antioch, eventually Pittsburg, backed by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. There is no plan to build a Glydways system in Richmond. This is just a test track that will have no public benefits for the people of Richmond – but you wouldn’t know that from reading the story.

I’m not sure the City Council understands this either. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda: “The Glydways Development Facility is a transformative project that embodies the City of Richmond’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. In choosing to build their technology solution at the Hilltop Mall site, Glydways will not only support our local economy but also position the City of Richmond at the forefront of forward-thinking solutions for our current transit challenges.”


Building the Future of Transit: Glydways Expands with New 14-Acre Development Hub
December 16th, 2024

Glydways Establishes Advanced Facility to Prepare for First Automated Transit Network (ATN) Pilot Launch in 2026

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., December 16, 2024 – Glydways, a leader in next-generation automated public transportation solutions, today announced plans for a new Development and Demonstration Facility, a pivotal step toward live system deployments. Located in Richmond, California, this 14-acre site is part of the former Hilltop Mall property, which is undergoing a larger redevelopment. In the interim, Glydways will use a portion of the property to showcase its innovative technology and conduct rigorous safety and reliability testing.

This move to Hilltop Mall is about so much more than expanding our physical footprint, it’s about laying the groundwork for a new era of urban mobility.

Gokul Hemmady, CEO of Glydways

“Our goal is to build a scalable, high-capacity transit system that meets the demands of modern cities while reducing congestion and emissions. With this new facility, we’re giving the public a glimpse of the future, where people can experience ultra-quiet, on-demand transit—just like hailing a rideshare, but with the reliability and affordability of public transit.”

The new development hub will include over a mile of dedicated test track, enabling Glydways to refine its solutions in a controlled environment while simulating real-world conditions. As part of the facility’s full-system operations, visitors will experience on-demand travel demonstrations with Glydcars, explore the state-of-the-art Operations and Control Center (OCC), and enjoy a visitor showroom featuring immersive virtual reality demonstrations of Glydways projects worldwide. The hub will also house a 13,000-square-foot Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) to service the growing fleet of Glydcars.

Located in Richmond, the facility is strategically positioned near one of Glydways’ largest upcoming projects in East Contra Costa County. This ambitious 28-mile Automated Transit Network (ATN), developed in partnership with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Tri Delta Transit, underscores Glydways’ commitment to transforming transportation in its own community while paving the way for global expansion.

“When we started GoMentum Station, our vision was to bring the future of mobility from our testing facility into Bay Area communities and bolster local economic development,” said Tim Haile, Executive Director of CCTA. “Glydways’ expansion is making that vision a reality. As a longtime valued testing partner, we are excited to see how Glydways’ innovative guideway system has evolved and expanded through their work in Contra Costa County. This milestone represents a significant step forward in efficient, sustainable public transit and a boost for Richmond’s economic development.”

“By building this hub in our own backyard, we’re not only advancing our systems close to home but also demonstrating our commitment to bringing efficient, zero-emission transit solutions to the Bay Area and beyond,” said Gokul Hemmady, CEO of Glydways.

Local officials have also expressed their enthusiasm.

The Glydways Development Facility is a transformative project that embodies the City of Richmond’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. Cesar Zepeda, Richmond City Council Member “In choosing to build their technology solution at the Hilltop Mall site, Glydways will not only support our local economy but also position the City of Richmond at the forefront of forward-thinking solutions for our current transit challenges.”

“The City of Richmond is excited to welcome Glydways to the City to test their innovative, zero-emission technology within the former Hilltop Mall site. Their presence will not only help test new transit solutions but also activate the former Mall site while preparation and finalization of the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan is underway,” stated Shasa Curl, Richmond City Manager.

About Glydways:
Glydways was founded in 2016 with the mission to revolutionize urban mobility and provide more equitable access to affordable housing, jobs, education, healthcare, and community. We accomplish this via our innovative approach of a closed-road, fully autonomous, high-capacity, personalized Automated Transit Network (ATN). Closed-road means dedicated lanes with no traffic or congestion. This allows Glydcars to perform a service on demand, anytime, 24/7, continuously moving with no slowing or stopping until the passenger reaches their destination—all with no emissions. Additionally, unlike autonomous automobiles, our vehicles never share the road with human-driven vehicles, which increases congestion, drive times, and accident rates, not decreases them. Our customer experience is like ride-hailing but at public transit prices.

Media Contact:
Kim Jennett
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
kim@glydways.com
408-375-4758

Contra Costa Transportation Authority - CCTA
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Big news for the future of transit! Glydways is breaking ground on a cutting-edge 14-acre Development and Demonstration Facility in the City of Richmond, CA!

Known for their innovative microtransit systems, Glydways is redefining efficient, sustainable, and accessible public transportation with autonomous, small-scale vehicles designed to meet the needs of every community. Glydways has been testing their technology at CCTA's GoMentum Station for several years, and CCTA is excited to see them expand in Contra Costa County:

• Tim Haile, Executive Director of CCTA, shared: "When we started GoMentum Station, our vision was to bring the future of mobility from our testing facility into Bay Area communities and bolster local economic development. Glydways' expansion is making that vision a reality... This milestone represents a significant step forward in efficient, sustainable public transit and a boost for Richmond’s economic development." 

At GoMentum Station, Glydways has been a key partner in testing autonomous vehicle technology in a controlled, real-world environment. Together, we’re shaping the future of mobility!

READ MORE: (https://www.glydways.com/building-the-future-of-transit.../)

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting milestone and the continued transformation of transit!