On its first day of passenger service, a self-driving bus collided with a tram in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Monday, according to the Vasttrafik public transportation operator.
Patrik Chi, a spokesman for Vasttrafik, stated that the bus, which was manufactured by Turkey’s Karsan, has been removed from service for examination. “It’s an incredibly sad start,” he said of the tragedy.
In Gothenburg, a self-driving bus carrying passengers braked and was struck from behind by a tram. He continued, “There are no casualties or personal damages.”
There was “a safety driver on board the bus, who is ready to take control if needed,” according to Chi, who added that the collision’s circumstances still needed to be looked into.
Monday was the bus’s first day of passenger service, although it has been operating in central Gothenburg since the end of March.
Lars Backström, CEO of Võtrafik, stated in a press statement this morning: “Finally! For us, this is a crucial step.
According to local media, he stated, “By driving with passengers on board, we get the opportunity to learn both how the technology works in real traffic and how passengers experience the journey.”
The Karsan bus manufactured in Turkey has been removed from service for inspection.
The CEO stated that testing cars without a safety driver in the front seat will eventually be part of the phased strategy.
On the website of national broadcaster SVT, footage revealed the bus’s wreckage and a banner that read, “Keep distance!” on its back. The bus might brake violently.
For a trial period ending July 31, 2027, the bus was authorized to carry passengers by Sweden’s Transportstyrelsen transport agency.
In Europe, self-driving buses and shuttles run on private roads and are authorized locally, city by city and route by route.
The self-driving bus moves at the same speed and is nearly the same size as a conventional bus.
Robotaxis and self-driving public transportation have not yet been approved for commercial use throughout Europe by the EU.
