Gozo & Malta Launch Autonomous Bus Pilot Through metaCCAZE
Image by Remoted
The vehicle will be tested on routes in Malta and Gozo (Malta's sister island) as part of a pilot led locally by Malta Public Transport, the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, and the University of Malta through the metaCCAZE project. The project aims to explore the future of intelligent and autonomous mobility on the islands.
The pilot will assess the performance of the autonomous bus on carefully selected, pre-approved routes, which are set to begin operating in June this year. Designed to carry up to 15 passengers, the vehicle will be introduced through a phased rollout, starting with controlled trials before the route officially opens to the public.
Safety is central to the pilot design. A trained safety operator will be on board at all times during testing, with the ability to take immediate control whenever required. The trial will follow a defined safety and authorisation process in line with a stringent new regulatory framework published by Transport Malta. Continuous monitoring and data collection will support a comprehensive evaluation of system and service performance.
MetaCCAZE aims to revolutionise mobility in European cities for both passengers and freight through innovative electric, automated and connected solutions designed to make transport smarter, more efficient and climate neutral. Similar innovative pilots have also been launched in nine other European cities, including Tampere (Finland) and Amsterdam (the Netherlands).
Author: Lisa Marie Hanß
