Canton of Zurich and SBB test automated driving

The canton of Zurich and SBB want to expand public transport services with self-driving vehicles. The vehicles, which could potentially be operated "cost-effectively and flexibly", could improve services in rural areas and conurbations in particular, the two partners explain in a joint press release. The first step will be taken next spring with a pilot project in the Furttal valley. It is intended to provide SBB and the Canton of Zurich with insights into possible business models, forms of service, costs and operation of automated public transport.

During the test phase from spring 2025, the vehicles will be manned by safety drivers while the control system is gradually automated. Once the test phase is complete, the now autonomous vehicles will be monitored by a control center and can request human assistance if necessary. Initially, several self-driving cars are to be made available in the Furttal valley, which can be ordered for a fee via the project app. There are later plans to expand the service to include automated minibuses, which will run both on scheduled services and on individual orders. ce/hs