- Test of autonomous bus in Upper Palatinate
Autonomously and electrically, a minibus has been transporting passengers in a new development by the lake in Roding (district of Cham). The "AVL AutBus" project has been tested in trial operation for about four weeks. Unlike in other regions, the vehicle is not a specially developed minibus, but a standard minibus equipped with the necessary technology.
The bus was running between the train station, the campsite, and the lake, coordinating with regular public transport. Around 300 people took advantage of the free service, according to a spokesperson. The route from the train station to the lake is about 1.4 kilometers. Normally, passengers would use a car to get there, but now they could use the bus.
It's unclear whether the project will be repeated or tested in other communities, said Armin Engstle, head of the AVL site in Roding. In September, the minibus will be in use for two days during a presentation in Cham. Additionally, talks are ongoing with municipalities. The project has been supported with public funds and organizationally by the Cham district.
With a driver for safety reasons
The minibus could potentially drive up to 80 km/h, but during the test operation, it only reached a maximum speed of 60 km/h. A driver must be on board to intervene if necessary, for example, when encountering obstacles like a parked delivery van. The bus also operated in fog and rain, up to 25 liters per square meter, but not yet in snow.
There were no major issues in daily life, said Engstle. The vehicle was just unusual, with pedestrians sometimes stepping in front of it to test its reaction and see if it stops. This is why the presence of a driver is important for safety.
From pilot project to daily life
State parliamentarian Julian Preidl (Free Voters) sees small, autonomously driving electric minibuses as a possibility for the future to expand public transport, especially in rural regions, while also addressing the shortage of skilled workers. There is also a lack of bus drivers, he said at the project presentation in Roding.
In the Bavarian spa town of Bad Birnbach (district of Rottal-Inn), electrically powered and autonomously driving minibuses have been established in daily life since 2017. They run between the thermal spa, train station, and market square. Since 2022, on-demand buses have also been operating between 20 demand stops.
Since 2021, there has been the Shuttle Model Region Oberfranken (SMO) project. Minibuses are transporting passengers free of charge between Hof, Kronach, and Bad Steben. In Munich and Kelheim, projects for autonomous electric mobility in public transport are also underway, according to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Transport.
Bad Birnbach project Oberfranken project Munich project Roding project Kelheim
The minibus in Roding is part of the transition towards electric mobility, showcasing its potential in public transport. With the success of the Roding project, other communities might consider implementing similar electrically and autonomously driven minibuses, like the ones in Bad Birnbach and Munich.
