Autonomous bus to operate at Alpbach forum

ORF reports that a fully automated electric bus will operate during this year’s European Forum in Alpbach, in the Kufstein district. After the pilot project, the bus is to enter regular service at the Wolfurt campus in Vorarlberg.

The vehicle is an all-electric Autonomous e-CENTRO C made by Turkish manufacturer Otokar. A model of the same type is already operating at a wholesale market in Madrid.

The bus can independently perform driving tasks within a clearly defined operating area. Austrian law requires a safety attendant to be on board, however.

It can carry up to 32 passengers and has step-free access with a wheelchair ramp.

At the Alpbach forum, the bus will be tested on a fixed route. It will then connect companies at the Wolfurt campus with the suburban rail network. ÖBB presented the electric bus in Vienna on Thursday.

ÖBB chief executive Andreas Matthä said the company wanted to provide passengers with better mobility services in the long term.