he UK’s first autonomous bus service has begun taking paying passengers throughout the Forth Road Bridge.

The autos infact have two members of workers – a security driver who can take management of the car and a “captain” to promote tickets and supply customer support.

The Stagecoach service, from Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife to Edinburgh Park Transport Interchange, will function on a trial foundation till 2025 as a part of the CAVForth venture.

A fleet of 5 Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV buses will cowl a 14-mile route, in combined site visitors, at as much as 50mph throughout the bridge.

While buses usually have only one driver, the captain is on board to display what a full-size autonomous bus might really feel like sooner or later when the buses can function with one member of workers who can depart the cab as the pc drives.

Read More

It is hoped autonomous buses will enhance security by lowering response instances, and enhance effectivity by optimising acceleration and deceleration which, it's hoped, will ship important vitality financial savings and lowered put on and tear on the autos.

As media have been proven the buses at an occasion final week, Stagecoach director Sam Greer stated: “We’ll look to analyse the data, the reaction and feedback from passengers and the general public about acceptance of the technology and we’ll make a decision about how we use the technology in the future.

“I would say to anyone who is a bit cautious about using the vehicle not to be, there is a full safety case that has been worked through.

“The vehicle has been certified as safe for public use.”

The buses have accomplished a million testing miles up to now.

CAVForth is a collaborative venture, comprising of Fusion Processing, Stagecoach, Alexander Dennis, Transport Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University, Bristol Robotics Lab and the University of the West of England.

It is part-funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.