Mayor reveals plans for driverless buses

Trials of driverless buses are to begin in Lincolnshire next year, according to mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns.

Speaking at The Great Lincolnshire Exhibition, Jenkyns said she was keen to explore how they could be used in rural areas where buses are currently a "last resort".

Trials of automated vehicles are legal on roads in the UK but require a safety driver. The Department for Transport published guidance in March on the steps required to remove the safety operator to make the vehicle self-driving.

"Self-driving buses can definitely help Lincolnshire's transport," according to Dame Andrea, who said she would eventually "like to see them across the county."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, while routes for driverless buses have not yet been confirmed, a potential route connecting uphill and downhill Lincoln was mentioned at the exhibition.

One between Gainsborough's Lea Road train station and town centre was also discussed.

A display model at the exhibition reached speeds of 25mph (40km/h) on a special route around the Lincolnshire Showground, stopping at junctions to scan for traffic and showing a virtual map of obstacles it had detected and avoided.

It was built by Ohmio which said they would not replace traditional buses but would help with "the first mile and last mile of journeys, connecting transport systems together" making them "perfect shuttle services".

Buses built by Ohmio are currently being trialled in Milton Keynes, but the company said it was "waiting on the government to announce what the rules will be" before a major roll out, which it said they say could happen in late 2026 or early 2027.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices