Autonomous bus to connect Dorfhain to public transport

Plans for an autonomous bus in Dorfhain (Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district) are making progress. "Automated or even autonomous driving is a topic for the future," said Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU) at a presentation of the project on site. Rural regions should be well connected to urban regions by public transport at the times when people want to travel.

Connection to train station to make public transport more attractive

In future, the autonomous bus will connect Dorfhain to the nearest train station, Edle Krone. The municipality wants to use the service to make public transport more attractive and enable mobility without a car. The vehicle was developed by the Berlin-based company IAV, which has three locations in Saxony.

The three-kilometre route with tight bends and several junctions is said to be challenging, but is suitable as a test of the technology's suitability for everyday use. "However, there are still major hurdles to overcome," said the municipality. It is hoped that the minister will provide support with start-up funding, among other things.

Autonomous buses already on the road in Saxony

It would not be the first autonomous public transport project in Saxony. Similar buses are already on the road in the district of Leipzig and at Bärwalder See in Lusatia. However, a driver is still on board there to ensure safety. In future, the buses will travel alone and be monitored from a control center.