[NEWS] A driverless electrical bus runs in Zemgale

For the first time in Latvia will run a driverless bus, which was brought by Zemgale Planning Region within the Interreg project “Sohjoa Baltic”.

For the first time in Latvia, in Jelgava and Aizkraukle will run a driverless bus, which was brought by Zemgale Planning Region (ZPR) within the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program project “Sohjoa Baltic”.

In Jelgava, the electrical driverless bus was opened on August 14, it will move from the entrance to Pasta Island to the reconstructed Pasta Island active recreation area, while in Aizkraukle the bus will be opened on September 9 at 11.00, and it will run on the route from Aizkraukle History and Art Museum to Lāčplēša Street. In both cities, the bus will run for about two weeks. The autonomous bus has six seats and will have two stops on the Pasta Island – “Tea House” and “Swimming place” and in Aizkraukle - “Museum” and “Church”. Passengers are advised to comply with epidemiological safety requirements during the journey, to use a face mask if necessary and, as far as possible, to use the bus for people from the same household. The bus will also be regularly disinfected.

The Chairman of the Zemgale Planning Region Development Council, a representative of the Ministry of Transport and the Chairman of Jelgava City Council gave speeches at the opening event in Jelgava. Visitors of the event showed great interest, and many waited their turn to find out how it felt to take a ride in a driverless bus.

The autonomous electric bus travels independently - it is programmed with the intended route, and with various sensors the vehicle detects the surrounding environment and knows when to slow down or stop completely if there is an obstacle in front. However, everyone is advised to exercise caution, not to create obstacles, not to go in front of the bus or otherwise interfere with the operation of the vehicle during both its programming and operation. It should be noted that there will be a constant attendant on the bus, who will be able to take control of it if necessary.

Zemgale Planning Region has long been involved in the implementation of several projects related to green energy and environmentally friendly transport. This project emphasizes the regional approach of the project, as the demonstrations are organized in different cities of the region. In cooperation with various stakeholders, it is planned to continue such projects in the future, implementing them in other cities of Zemgale and applying new innovative technological possibilities. Zemgale Planning Region invites other planning regions and everyone interested to visit Jelgava and Aizkraukle to take a ride in a driverless electronical bus.