Both the Norwegian and international press were present when a small piece of transport history was written in Stavanger on Monday morning.
According to Columbus, this is the first time a large self-driving bus has been incorporated as part of an ordinary route offer in open traffic.
– ON THE ROUTE: The electric bus runs between Stavanger city center and the concert hall in the city. Photo: Kristian Myhre / TV 2
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During the official opening, Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård (Labor Party) described the high-tech bus as a glimpse into the public transport of the future.
– This is just the beginning. When the technology matures, it could have great significance for the development of public transport, the minister says to TV 2.
– COUNCIL OF MINISTER: The Minister of Transport was on the maiden voyage on Monday. Photo: Kristian Myhre / TV 2
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– A quantum leap
It is the county municipal mobility provider Columbus who, in collaboration with Vy, has made this happen.
The bus is 8.3 meters long and is registered for 21 seats, in addition to standing places.
– This is a new generation in self-driving buses and I would describe it as a quantum leap, says CEO Edith Nøkling.
And while the manually controlled buses have recently received harsh criticism creative interpretations of the traffic rulesand aggressive behavior towards cyclists – Columbus guarantees that the self-driving variant will comply with the traffic rules.
– Do you think passengers dare to use it?
– I hope so, and that it will be a good addition for the population here in Stavanger. I have sat on myself and can reassure people that it slows down when it should, says Nøkling.
– PROUD: Columbus director Edith Nøkling during the opening on Monday. Photo: Kristian Myhre / TV 2
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At the same time, she emphasizes that self-driving should be a supplement and a support for public transport, and not something that should replace bus drivers.
Staffed until further notice
In any case, Oddbjørn Hetland, bus driver at Vy Buss, is not worried about that.
– This is so complicated that it will take a long time before we get there, he says.
He is employed as a safety driver and must be on board the bus for the time being, to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
WATCH VIDEO: Bus history is written here in Stavanger
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– If there is a need, I will intervene, but there is never really a reason for that, says Hetland.
– But could not you just as easily just drive the bus then?
– No. When we drive autonomously, I can do nothing but brake. In any case, this bus gets more than I can handle.
Early
In the long term, the plan is to move the safety driver to an operations center, where he or she will monitor several self-driving buses at the same time.
– We believe experienced drivers are best suited for this task, says Nøkling.
A year ago mentioned Teknisk Ukeblad a similar self-driving bus in Spain, but according to Columbus, this is not integrated into ordinary traffic.
From Monday, the bus will run in the middle of the oil city.
It will run between Breiavannet by the city terminal, via the concert hall and on to Finansparken.
A number of other players, both in Europe and in the USA, are rolling out similar projects, but they were all beaten at the finish line by Kolombus and Vy.
– Norway is out early in many areas within self-driving vehicles, and here we are then the first to get a bus in scheduled operation. It is very good, says Minister Nygård.
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