If you spotted this trundling towards you in Lincoln, you’d be forgiven for thinking half the bus had gone missing.
But no. This strange little box on wheels is apparently part of Lincolnshire’s transport future.
It drives itself, can carry up to 14 people and has enough tech packed inside to navigate junctions and spot obstacles without a conventional driver. And after making an appearance at the Lincolnshire Exhibition, the plan is to start testing vehicles like it on Lincolnshire roads next year.
Self-driving buses are currently legal only in small pilot areas, but the government’s expected to open the way for a wide-scale rollout next year.
Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns made her entrance at the Lincolnshire Exhibition on one and confirmed that trials for them will begin next year on local roads.
This particular model from company Ohmio has room for eight seated and six standing passengers, and we were invited to give it a try.
It had learnt a route around the exhibition at the Lincolnshire Showground, and was capable of repeating it over and over without any help.
Current regulations means there needs to be a safety operator on board, although he didn’t have to do anything except remind passengers to fasten their seatbelts.
The small vehicle hit speeds of 25mph as it whizzed around the empty roads, pausing at junctions to scan for other traffic.
Screens inside showed the virtual map which it was constantly building up of its surroundings – buildings, trees, fences and people were all detected and successfully avoided.
“What happens if a bird flies in the way?” One passenger asked, and was told the vehicle would either speed up or slow down to avoid collisions.
The miniature bus navigated the car park and pulled smoothly back up at the temporary bus stop.
Ohmio said that the self-driving vehicles were best suited to small simple loops, and were currently being trialled on roads in Milton Keynes.
No routes or providers have been confirmed for Lincolnshire yet.
However two ideal routes mentioned during the day were connecting the uphill and downhill areas of Lincoln, and Gainsborough’s Lea Road train station to the town centre.
Mayor Andrea Jenkyns said she was also keen to explore how they could be used in rural areas.
“Self-driving buses can definitely help Lincolnshire’s transport. Buses should be a way of life, not a last resort – unfortunately, that’s how they’re currently seen,” she said.
“We have got the funding, and the next stage is to test and trial. Eventually, I’d like to see them across the county.”
Ohmio say they won’t replace traditional buses, but will instead make it easier for people to reach them.
Hariharasudhan Akhil, a robotics engineer at Ohmio, said: “These vehicles can help with the first mile and last mile of journeys, connecting transport systems together.
“They make perfect shuttle services, for example from bus stations to train stations.
“We are currently waiting on the government to announce what the rules will be, which could happen late this year or early 2027.”
By Jamie Waller (Local Democracy Reporter) with extra gubbins by Laura Wilde
