A driverless bus has taken passengers across the Forth Road Bridge ahead of the launch of the UK's first autonomous bus service next week. From Monday, May 15, up to 10,000 passengers a week could use the service between Ferry Toll near Inverkeithing and Edinburgh Park. It is due to run on a trial basis until 2025.
Two members of staff will be aboard each of the five Stagecoach buses, but although one will sit behind the wheel they will not be driving the bus. Instead they will monitor sensors, cameras and radar outside the bus, but they can take over control if necessary.
Transport minister Kevin Stewart, who was one of the passengers on board, said: “It's absolutely fantastic to see this autonomous bus testing here. We want Scotland to be at the very forefront of this technology. I'm pleased to have had the opportunity to travel on one of these autonomous vehicles. I felt very safe on the bus, there has been a huge amount of testing. There were staff on board. I hope the people of Fife and Edinburgh and see for themselves just how safe all of this is. We need people to use public transport more, whether that be buses or trains. We're doing all that we can to encourage people on to public transport. This adds to the mix and we have a way to go in terms of that change.”
. Full speed ahead
The buses will travel at up to 50mph across the Forth Road Bridge. A fleet of five Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV vehicles will cover the 14-mile route. The buses have already completed one million testing miles. The service will now operate on a trial basis until 2025. Photo: Andrew Milligan
. Driverless bus
The media was invited along to see one of the autonomous buses in operation ahead of the launch of the service on Monday May 15. Scotland's transport minister Kevin Stewart was one of the first to strap in for the short journey as the Stagecoach vehicles were tested on the service between Ferry Toll near Inverkeithing and Edinburgh Park. Photo: Andrew Milligan
. Minister at the wheel
Minister for Transport Kevin Stewart at the wheel of one of the new buses at the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre in South Queensferry for the launch of the UK's first autonomous bus service. A fleet of five Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV vehicles will cover a 14-mile route, in mixed traffic, at up to 50mph across the Forth Road Bridge. Photo: Andrew Milligan
5. Ready to go
Five autonomous buses will operate the route between Ferry Toll park-and-ride and Edinburgh Park from Monday.. Stagecoach director Sam Greer said: "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." Photo: Andrew Milligan
6. No driver
The driverless cab on the new autonomous bus. Although a "safety driver" will sit at the controls, they will only monitor the sensors and cameras while the computer does the driving. Sensors will detect anything which comes near the bus while the cameras will help keep it in its lane. Photo: Andrew Milligan
7. Off we go
The autonomous bus drives itself across the Forth Road Bridge. Minister for Transport Kevin Stewart said he felt "very safe" as the bus travelled the route without anyone holding the wheel. Photo: Andrew Milligan
8. On the bridge
Up to 10,000 passengers a week are expected to be carried across the Forth Road Bridge in the driverless buses. Two members of staff will be on board, but the only parts of the journey which will be manually driven will be at the the bus stops at each end. The service will operate on a trial basis until 2025. Photo: Andrew Milligan