Buses with no drivers take to roads

THE UK’s first full-sized ‘driverless bus’ will pull out of Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife today for on-the-road testing.

In a “major step forward” for autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles Stagecoach is operating the buses on Scotland’s roads for the first time.

The project’s backers hope to launch a full commercial service in only a few month’s time.

If successful, they will revolutionise how passengers experience bus travel.

A bus “captain” will chat with passengers while the computer pilots the vehicle.

The project’s leaders have labelled it “the world’s most complex and ambitious autonomous vehicle programme”.

The pilot project includes five singledeck autonomous buses working over the next fortnight.

The buses will travel over the Forth Road Bridge between Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife and the Edinburgh Park Train and Tram interchange.

Although many have labelled the technology “driverless”, an experienced driver will remain on board.

Stagecoach is roadtesting the service without passengers ahead of a potential full launch later this summer.

After launch, the buses should provide a service capable of carrying up to 36 passengers over the 14 miles across the bridge, with capacity for more than 10,000 passengers a week.

Engineers have fitted the “driverless buses” with state-of-the-art sensor and control technology.

The tech enables the buses to run on preselected roads without the safety driver having to intervene or take control.

The company plans to recruit more than 20 specially trained “autonomous bus professionals” – experienced bus drivers – from its East Scotland business.