Driverless public buses run in Porto starting this fall

Self-driving buses will run the streets of Porto, starting this fall, namely in the Asprela area, under international project that STCP - Sociedade de Transportes Coletivos do Porto is taking part. Tests will run on mini bus, also known as shuttles. 

Shuttles will be able to bypass obstacles such as parked cars. Asprela was the zone of the city of Porto chosen to test these new smart and autonomous vehicles, because it is a busy area that congregates "universities and the São João University Hospital Centre, and they represent one of the main routes of the STCP fleet", enhances the Innovation National Agency, in a statement.

These tests will be carried out under the international project FABULOS, of which Porto is part, jointly with the Forum Virium Helsinki, in Finland and the municipalities of Helmond, in Holland, Gjesdal, in Norway and Lamia, in Greece.

FABULOS project aims at "improving the service level" and also "to enable a substantial cost savings in a fundamental public transport area in the city", stated the Innovation Nacional Agency.

This initiative is funded by Horizonte 2020, amounting to 7 million euros. This will be the implementation phase.

This pioneer initiative at national level champions the goals at "enabling sustainable public transport development", and especially "build a future with less cars".

Although buses have no one steering the wheel, someone in charge will travel on board to ensure passenger safety during travels.