The Greek city of Trikala in the western Thessaly prefecture is the first among five areas selected by the European CityMobil2 program to host a pilot scheme of self-driving buses.
Four automated sensor-navigating vehicles had been operating test itineraries in the streets of Trikala since Friday 11 September, before starting to take passengers on board a few days ago.
Each bus has a capacity of carrying 10 passengers and reaches a top speed of about 20km/h.
Designed to follow a predetermined route, the buses are equipped with a GPS system, while there is no risk of an accident occurring thanks to automated sensors that detect obstacles and immobilise the vehicles to avoid a collision.
Setting the bar high in sustainability standards, the futuristic vehicle is electrically powered, noiseless and does not emit carbon.
The bus will move around a designated route of 2.4km in the city centre Tuesdays to Sundays from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm and from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
According to officials from the municipality-controlled company E-Trikala SA, which is running the project, the response of the public has been quite positive, as citizens had been informed of the operation and drivers were not misusing the bus lanes.
The way to automated transport systems has been paved in another four European cities, Milan (Italy), León (Spain), La Rochelle (France) and Vantaa (Finland).
However, Trikala is the only city where the bus will be moving within the urban network and not in a pedestrial route.
The CityMobil2 program provides each participating city with the buses for six months.
The trial basis in Trikala is scheduled to run until February 2016.
This alternative option is considered to offer a safe and sustainable service capable of complementing the main public transport network, while the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks hopes to introduce it in Athens as well, once the preliminary testing period is concluded.
Source: Kathimerini