Could self-driving buses soon carry UK passengers?

Marvelous news from the UK government, as reported — inevitably — by an Australian trade publication: they've opened applications for self-driving bus, taxi, and private hire services in a new pilot scheme. Because what British roads need is more vehicles that can't see potholes, don't understand bus lane rules, and will treat a zebra crossing as a courtesy. The title asks 'Could self-driving buses soon carry UK passengers?' — and the answer is probably 'Yes, for about a mile before a sensor fails and they park in a roundabout.'

The pilot is designed to shape future regulation, which is comforting given that current regulation was built around the horse and cart. Operators are invited to apply to run services that presumably won't involve the vehicle suffering a nervous breakdown when confronted with a traffic cone or a confused pedestrian. The timeline is characteristically vague, but one can safely assume the first automated bus will be held up by a cyclist before it even leaves the depot. The UK's previous autonomous vehicle trials have included shuttle services that move at a pace that makes joggers look reckless.

Still, there is a desperate need for regulation to catch up with the technology, as our safety institutions continue to grapple with risks we've barely defined. The government says the pilot will inform future regulation, which suggests we're currently regulating based on hope alone. Perhaps this time will be different — perhaps the Department for Transport will produce rules that actually keep pace with the industry. But given the UK's track record with transport megaprojects, don't bet your bus fare on it.