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.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025