Woman Impressed By China’s Driverless Buses, Where Fares Start From S$0.27 Per Trip

While Americans rave about booking driverless Ubers on social media, China is already a one step ahead and have introduced driverless buses within Wuxi City’s Economic Development Zone.

Xiaohongshu user Katrina Voyage shared her experience taking one of these unmanned buses.

Upon boading the bus, she scans a QR code to pay the bus fare, which is only about U$0.20 (S$0.27). A quick check online showed that fares can go up to three yuan (S$0.50) for longer journeys between 10 to 15km.

The bus, which fits nine people including one safety officer, has comfortable-looking seating with seat belts and screens displaying route information and road conditions. 

According to the bus company, these vehicles do not travel faster than 40km/h. Laser radars and cameras serve as the “eyes” of the vehicle, providing a 360-degree view of the traffic flow, and the vehicles are able identify road conditions including traffic lights 50m away.

Despite their cool factor, some netizens questioned the safety of these driverless buses.

“I am not sure if I will step into one. I got trust issues,” one commented.

Another also pointed out such buses means drivers will potentially lose their jobs.

In response to their critics, the company says safety officers remotely monitor the vehicles, and ready to take control in an emergency.

These driverless vehicles have been used since 2022 and have reportedly served more than 300,000 passengers since November last year.

Other than serving residents, the company has also kickstarted a pilot programme for these unmanned buses to be used for sightseeing.

Could we see driverless buses in Singapore soon? Perhaps. According to reports, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be rolling out trials for autonomous buses next year, plying routes in Marina Bay, Shenton Way and one-north. 

Photos: wxrb.com, chinabuses.com, thepaper.com, sohu.com