Malta’s First Driverless Bus Hits the Roads
As I stood at the bus stop in Sliema, I couldn’t help but feel a jolt of excitement. The bus that pulled up was no ordinary bus; it was Malta’s first driverless bus, and it was about to change the way we commute.
Malta’s First Autonomous Bus Hits the Roads
The bus, an electric minibus manufactured by French company Navya, has started its trial run in the heart of Malta’s bustling commercial hub. It’s a sleek, white vehicle with a blue stripe, equipped with sensors and cameras that allow it to navigate the streets without a human driver. The bus can carry up to 15 passengers and has a top speed of 43 km/h, but it’s designed to maintain a steady pace, making it easy for pedestrians to cross its path.
Safety First: A Human Touch
While the bus is driverless, it’s not entirely autonomous. A ‘conductor’ is on board to assist passengers, ensure safety, and take control if needed. The conductor can stop the bus, override the system, and communicate with passengers. The bus also has a remote monitoring system, allowing operators to keep an eye on its progress and intervene if necessary.
What’s in Store for Malta’s Public Transport?
The trial run is part of a larger project, ‘Malta Public Transport 2020’, aimed at modernising Malta’s public transport system. If the trial is successful, we could see more autonomous buses hitting the roads in the coming years. This could mean reduced traffic congestion, lower emissions, and more efficient public transport. But it also raises questions about job security for drivers and the need for retraining.
For now, the bus is operating on a 2.6km route between Sliema and St. Julian’s, making stops at key locations like the Sliema Ferries and the Pjazza Tigne. It’s a small step, but it’s a significant one in Malta’s journey towards smarter, greener public transport.
“This is not just about a bus,” says Ing. Joseph McVey, Project Manager at Malta Public Transport. “It’s about exploring the future of public transport in Malta. We’re excited to see how the public responds to this new technology.”
