End of road for Scotland first ‘driverless’ bus as Stagecoach reveals why service is being axed

Stagecoach has announced the end of the world-first project less than 18 months after it first launched.

The autonomous shuttle bus, which ran from Ferytoll Park and Ride at Inverkeithing in Fife to the Edinburgh Park first hit the road amid a fanfare. The project, named CAVForth, was part funded by UK Governments Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.

The computer driven vehicles featured ‘bus captains’ who were on board to re-assure passengers during their journey over the bridge. They were also fitted with ground-breaking sensor that enables them to run on pre-selected roads without the safety driver having to intervene or take control.

Stagecoach's autonomous bus (Pic: Submitted)

This week, Stagecoach announced the service - which comprised of five buses - across the Forth Road Bridge will end in February, stating that passenger numbers “have been too low to continue”.

A Stagecoach East Scotland statement said: “We are proud to have achieved a world-first with this service, demonstrating the potential for self-driving technology on a real-world registered timetable. While this was a trial of cutting-edge technology and a new route linking Ferrytoll with Edinburgh Park, passenger numbers have been too low to continue.

“We sincerely thank you for your support and custom during this innovative project. It has provided a wealth of learnings that will inform the continued development of autonomous technology in the UK.”

The pilot journey last May was hailed as a “hugely significant step” by Ivan MacKee, Scottish Government Transport Minister.

He said: “It has been really encouraging to watch the project develop through the various steps, from early testing and demonstrations through to carrying of passengers along the route for the first time. Our trunk road network can provide a wide range of environments as a diverse testing ground, and the ground-breaking and globally significant Project CAVForth will really help Scotland establish its credentials on the world stage.”