Self-driving passenger bus in regular service in Scotland

For the first time in Great Britain, a self-driving bus is used in regular service. The Stagecoach company plans to open line AB1 near Edinburgh on Monday.

The route covers 14 miles and also crosses a well-known bridge over the Firth of Forth.

“AB1 is considered the first registered bus service in the world to use full-size autonomous buses,” said Stagecoach. Up to 10,000 passengers per week are expected. Initially, a test operation with a total of five buses is planned until 2025. There are two employees on board: one at the wheel to intervene at any time, and one in the back to check tickets and answer questions.

Ten years of preparation

According to Stagecoach, the project has been in the works for ten years. The system used has covered a total of 1.8 million test kilometers.

“We want Scotland to remain at the forefront of connected and autonomous vehicle development and the start of this live test will help the country make its mark on the global stage,” said Scottish Transport Minister Kevin Stewart. The technology must “support our vision of a sustainable, integrative, safe and accessible transport system”. (sda/dpa)