Skip advert
Advertisement

First self-driving buses enter service on UK roads

Stagecoach launches the UK’s first autonomous bus service across the Forth Road Bridge

Stagecoach autonomous bus - Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV

The UK’s first self-driving bus service has launched in Scotland, taking passengers across the famed road bridge over the Firth of Forth.

Five full-size Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV buses will traverse the bridge using autonomous driving technology as they transport up to 10,000 passengers per week between the Ferrytoll Park & Ride in Fife and the Edinburgh Park Transport interchange. It’s a journey of 14 miles in mixed traffic at speeds of up to 50mph, but the passengers aren’t being left entirely in the hands of technology. 

A human driver will sit behind the wheel as usual, monitoring the bus’s driving, and ready to take control if required. There’ll be a second crew ‘captain’ in the passenger area to check tickets and deal with customers. Stagecoach tells us the second crew member is there to demonstrate what bus travel may be like in future “when one member of staff can leave the cab while the computer does the driving, and engage with passengers, much like a conductor would have done”.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The project known as CAVForth has been funded until 2025, and next year it is expected the self-driving bus route will be extended further north to the Dunfermline City bus station.

According to CAVForth members, which as well as bus operator Stagecoach and Alexander Dennis, includes Fusion Processing, Transport Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University, Bristol Robotics Lab, and the University of the West of England, this is the first full-size autonomous registered bus service anywhere in the world. It’s the result of a ten-year development programme by Fusion Processing that has 1.8 million kilometres of test mileage under its belt.

Part of the funding for the project comes from the UK government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV).

Are you excited or concerned by 'self-driving' vehicles? Let us know in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives
Kia's UK boss, Paul Philpott standing next to a Kia EV6

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives

Brand CEO says ZEV mandate is a threat, asking for clarity from the Labour government
News
6 Jan 2025
Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants
Finance contract, car key and calculator on desk

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants

Scandal involving car finance commission could see motorists entitled to billions of pounds in payouts
News
19 Dec 2024
Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns
Emissions tests questioned

Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns

The DfT is currently investigating as many as 47 models across several brands that are suspected to use diesel defeat devices
News
14 Nov 2024
MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars
MOT

MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars

More than a third of light commercials failed their first MoT last year, new figures show
News
12 Nov 2024

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: VW Golf GTI hot hatch legend for a very cool price
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front corner right

Car Deal of the Day: VW Golf GTI hot hatch legend for a very cool price

The Golf GTI has skilfully combined racy performance with everyday useability for nearly 50 years. It’s our Deal of the Day for 10 February
News
10 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts