Exclusive: Gold Coast on track to get driverless buses as councillors back trial of automated vehicles

The Gold Coast is on track to get an unusual new form of public transport, with speculation the first route to be trialled will be at The Spit.

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THE Gold Coast is on track to have automated buses with speculation the first route to be trialled will be The Spit.

Councillors behind closed doors at a transport committee meeting on Tuesday ticked off on a confidential item about an automated vehicle trial.

Automated bus trial at Coffs Harbour. Gold Coast City Council is about to green light a trial of automated technology.

The trial on the new technology still needs the backing of all councillors but sources suggest the transport system, backed by Mayor Tom Tate, will be approved.

Cr Tate told the Bulletin: “The item remains confidential and will come to full council next week. I can confirm that we are interested in trialling all forms of improved public transport. “This includes the current ferry trial as well as automated vehicles such as buses along with hydro buses.

An “autonomous transport shuttle”.

“I visited Redlands in December 2020 to witness their automated bus trial and there are some definite positives in the idea but obviously, safety is number one in every consideration.’’

Redlands is in the second phase of its mobility trial with the smaller buses operating between Raby Bay and a nearby foreshore park. The Mayor travelled on a bus there.

The bayside council and RACQ had teamed up on Queensland’s first long term on-road trial of autonomous vehicle technology.

Mayor Tom Tate looking at transport options. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The buses operate by themselves but an operator remains on board at all times.

The Spit is considered an ideal location on the Coast due to the lack of side streets and fewer pedestrians crossing the road.

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Originally published as Exclusive: Gold Coast on track to get driverless buses as councillors back trial of automated vehicles