The UK has celebrated the launch of its first driverless bus service, operated by Stagecoach. 

The start of the pilot programme was marked by a journey on the service between Ferry Toll near Inverkeithing, Fife, and Edinburgh Park. Scotland’s transport minister Kevin Stewart was one of the first to take his seat for the short journey.

A fleet of five driverless buses is expected to operate on a trial basis until 2025. Each bus will carry two members of staff – a safety driver who can take control of the vehicle, and another ‘captain’ to sell tickets and provide customer service.

One of the new buses crosses Forth Road Bridge in Scotland, during the launch of the UK's first autonomous bus service.

One of the new buses crosses Forth Road Bridge in Scotland, during the launch of the UK's first autonomous bus / Andrew Milligan/PA Wireservice.

Image credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Stagecoach...

Parents
  • Forgive me but there is clearly a driver in the pictures...and then they need a "conductor" in old-speak too? the economics aren't looking good.  This looks like another IET publication of a press release verbatim without any analysis or technical details

Comment
  • Forgive me but there is clearly a driver in the pictures...and then they need a "conductor" in old-speak too? the economics aren't looking good.  This looks like another IET publication of a press release verbatim without any analysis or technical details

Children
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