Agency Report –
Self-driving cars are to be used for public transport in Germany for the first time from Wednesday.
The pilot project was presented on Monday by railway operator Deutsche Bahn and the travel company in the Rhine-Main region of western Germany.
Passengers will be able to order a driverless car via an app within a specified area.
During the test phase, a driver will be on board to intervene in case of emergencies.
The service – similar to the ride-hailing platform Uber – is due to be part of local public transport networks.
According to Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national train company, the service is intended to make public transport more attractive and flexible, especially outside urban centres.
A fixed group of test passengers are to be selected for the pilot project, enjoying the journeys free of charge.
The project, dubbed Kira, is due to kick off in the towns of Langen and Egelsbach, south of Frankfurt. The city of Darmstadt is due to be included in the second half of the year.
The pilot was funded by the German Transport Ministry with €2.2 million ($2.5 million).
Other autonomous vehicle projects have been tested in Hamburg, but this is the first to include passengers.
