Self-driving buses could be on the horizon in Leicester as the City Council has announced its plans for a £75 million cash injection into the city’s bus network, reports the Leicester Mercury.

By the end of 2027, the aim is for all vehicles to be electric, bus stops will be improved, and ticketing will be simpler, and in related decision documents, dated Monday 10 August the possibility of a self-driving bus is also touted. Officers say that if further funding becomes available, the automation of one Leicester route could be trialled.

The Hop! service, which connects city centre stops such as Haymarket and the railway station in an anti-clockwise loop, has been eyed up for the new technology.

With an expected capital price tag of £3m, a timeline for the trial is still yet to be decided.

The news comes as councils across the country, including in Suffolk, Cambridge and Milton Keynes, explore implementing automated buses in their regions.

A council spokesperson said:

“We know the Government wants to progress trials of self-driving vehicles nationally, so if we were satisfied it could operate safely, and funding was available, we would consider putting the Hop! forward as a candidate for one of these trials.

“This is of course a long-term ambition, and subject to further consideration should funding and the opportunity become available.”

(Picture: Leicester City Council)