Public transport Canton of Zurich and SBB want to test automated public transport in the countryside

The canton of Zurich and SBB want to test self-driving public transport in the countryside. From spring 2025, the automated cars are to supplement the range of services to and from the station. They have chosen the Furttal valley in Zurich as the pilot region.

SBB and the canton of Zurich are convinced that automated services offer great opportunities, particularly in public transport, the canton announced on Thursday. These could potentially be operated cost-effectively and flexibly and further improve services, particularly in rural areas and conurbations.

No human at the wheel

They chose the Furttal valley in the Zurich Unterland as the pilot region. It is ideally suited to the project due to its settlement structure, its size and its existing public transport network with a central S-Bahn line.

The test phase is scheduled to begin in spring 2025. The cars will take part in regular road traffic without a person at the wheel. They will be controlled by software.

SDA