Regional transport coordination: 3 self-driving bus trials

The cabinet wants existing transport services to share journeys and vehicles, alongside three trials with self-driving buses.

The Dutch cabinet wants regional transport coordination to help people outside cities reach hospitals and other services. Its proposals would connect regular public transport with services such as school transport. It also wants three trials with self-driving buses.

State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management Bertram outlined the plans in two parliamentary letters. She sent them to the Tweede Kamer, the Dutch House of Representatives.

Bertram wants to improve access to hospitals and cultural venues. She wrote that she wants to achieve this “met de beschikbare middelen”, meaning with the available resources.

The plans appear in coverage by NOS, the Dutch public broadcaster.

Meanwhile, Bertram warned that fewer older people can reach a hospital within 45 minutes.

Matching requests with vehicles already on the road

Regional taxis and community buses already run alongside regular public transport. However, these services often work separately. Different passenger groups can therefore travel to the same destination in separate vehicles.

The cabinet wants to connect these services more closely. Its plans include school transport and transport for people who cannot travel independently. Rather than treating each service as a separate system, the proposal seeks better use of existing vehicles.

In particular, Bertram proposes a central coordination service. It would receive transport requests, then match available vehicles with passengers’ needs.

For example, coordinating journeys could help avoid sending separate vehicles along similar routes.

Three self-driving bus trials

Alongside the coordination plans, the cabinet wants three trials with self-driving buses.

The information supplied about the proposals gives no trial routes or start dates. It also gives no fares or booking arrangements.

The two ideas address different parts of the transport problem. Coordination concerns how existing services share work. Meanwhile, the bus trials would test self-driving vehicles.

What this means for people living in the Netherlands

The plans concern people outside cities who depend on public or supported transport. Older residents and people unable to travel independently have a direct interest.