Shenzhen to put autonomous buses on roads as China accelerates self-driving vehicle tests
- Shenzhen plans to have 20 driverless buses on the road by the end of 2024, which comes amid safety and job loss concerns over autonomous driving tech
China’s southern tech hub of Shenzhen plans to put a fleet of 20 driverless buses on the road this year, according to the local bus operator, amid the country’s push for a wider roll-out and commercialisation of autonomous driving technology despite regulatory, security and social concerns.
The self-driving buses will operate along four bus routes in Shenzhen’s Qianhai district, an economic zone neighbouring Hong Kong, where stops include subway stations, commercial and business districts, industrial parks, residential areas and tourism sites, according to an announcement by Shenzhen Bus Group, the state-owned public transport firm.
With government approval for a trial run already granted, the company said it aims to create “the largest fleet of autonomous driving buses in the downtown area of a first-tier city”.
Shenzhen Bus Group will start operating the first bus route as early as this month, charging a fare of 1 yuan (US$0.14) per ride during the trial period, the state-backed Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported on Tuesday.
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