X3M

Referred to colloquially as a "shuttle", the X3M is a contragravity speeder designed for transporting individuals in metropolises and space stations. Shuttles are compartmentalized into a pilot/passenger compartment and a propulsive drive compartment. In the pilot/passenger compartment, there are four seats with one of them reserved for the pilot. From either the forward left or right seat, a pilot controls the shuttle's movements through the use of a haptic adaptive interface. The canopy of the shuttle is divided into two sections - a central section which lifts up, and a clamshell door. The windows of the vehicle can be darkened for the privacy of the passengers. Due to the limited storage space, passengers are limited to what they can carry or store on their bodies. Rear of this compartment, there is the propulsive drive powered by a mass effect field.

A shuttle can travel over 7 kilometers every 10 minutes. For example, a shuttle leaving the Mid-Ward District in the Zakera Ward will arrive at the Presidium Junction 30 minutes later. The length of a ward is 43.6 kilometers; thus, the length of half of the ward is 21.8 kilometers. So, 21.8 divided by 30 equals .726 kilometers per minute, or 7.3 kilometers every 10 minutes. The relative slowness and short length of these vehicles permits a pilot to navigate or park in a confined space. X3Ms have shown the capacity to move forward, ascend or descend, or make turns. These shuttles require a small landing zone.

Commander Shepard is an experienced shuttle pilot, and can be seen piloting the shuttle on the Citadel and on Omega. Shuttles are also seen throughout Nos Astra on Illium.

The Citadel
X3Ms are used by Rapid Transit for transporting passengers to stations in the Presidium and Wards. These shuttles were publicly owned, and there were biotic amps and weapon restrictions placed onto passengers for the safety of themselves and others. For example, a turian wouldn't be allowed to board a shuttle if he had in his possession a 15-centimeter serrated knife. Shuttles were scheduled for departure from a transit depot every 10 minutes. Rights-of-way and flight routes for inbound and outbound travel have been established for the safe passage of shuttles.

Omega
X3Ms are stored at transport depots. These depots are stops on flight paths established within the confines of Omega. Commander Shepard's team uses the shuttles for the missions Dossier: Archangel and Dossier: The Professor. There are, apparently, no restrictions against passengers or pilots carrying weapons or biotic amps. Some X3Ms are privately owned by individuals, for example the Archangel, and are stored in a garage in a private residence.

Illium
On Illium, the bulk of traffic in cities like Nos Astra consists of X3Ms; hundreds if not thousands of the vehicles can be seen moving in orderly lanes throughout Nos Astra. The shuttles are used in the missions Dossier: The Justicar, Dossier: The Assassin, Miranda: The Prodigal, and Lair of the Shadow Broker.

Missions

 * Dossier: The Professor
 * Dossier: Archangel
 * Dossier: The Justicar
 * Dossier: The Assassin
 * Miranda: The Prodigal
 * Garrus: Eye for an Eye
 * Thane: Sins of the Father

Trivia

 * If the prong is on the left-hand side, not on the right-hand side, the model has been reversed.
 * According to The Art of Mass Effect, on page 73, Bioware originally envisioned the contragravity speeder as a possible candidate for the M35 Mako.
 * There are flatbed truck versions seen on Omega, the Factory District of the Citadel and whilst escaping Donovan Hock's mansion in Kasumi's Loyalty Mission.
 * The X3M in Mass Effect 2 are wider and longer than the ones in the first Mass Effect game.