Efteling pilot marks second autonomous bus route in the Netherlands
Arriva will launch a self-driving bus service at and around the Efteling theme park on 12 August. The vehicle navigates autonomously, though a safety driver will remain in the driver’s seat to intervene if necessary.
This project marks the second self-driving bus operating on public roads in the Netherlands. Rotterdam launched a similar autonomous route between its airport and a metro station last year. Mobility company Dutch Automated Mobility oversees the operation of both vehicles.
Government officials and corporate representatives will make the inaugural ceremonial trip on Monday, 10 August, before the service opens to the public on 12 August. The free bus seats up to 20 passengers and operates from Wednesday through Sunday. The pilot runs for eight weeks, after which project partners will evaluate the future of the shuttle service.
Officials highlight growing role of autonomous transport
Stijn Smeulders, mobility deputy for the Province of Noord-Brabant, welcomed the trial, stating that self-driving buses will eventually become a permanent feature of the regional public transport system.
The initiative aligns with broader national efforts to integrate autonomous transit. In May, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Vincent Karremans informed parliament that automated transport places the country on the verge of a fundamental shift. Additionally, Tesla vehicles gained approval to use driver-assist self-driving software on Dutch roads in April, provided human drivers remain attentive and ready to take control.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
