A viral video of a driverless bus in a London depot has sparked fears among bus drivers about job security. The ‘no users in charge’ bus trial started in 2025 and has been run as a test to potentially support Transport for London (TfL) in their goal of stopping all deaths and public transport-related injuries by 2041, says MyLondon.

The video has sparked resistance from one GMB Union member and bus driver, James Rossi, who says the precedent set by the trials inside the bus depot could be dangerous.

Funded by various government departments and developed by Fusion Processing, the technology was rolled out in June 2025 with the aim of helping drivers park in Metroline and TfL depots, yet in the most recent video posted to TikTok the bus appears to be trying to navigate around parked cars in a TfL depot.

TfL and Metroline have both said that these feasibility tests were conducted on a “single day”, despite the trial having been going on for a year, and studies could potentially support the public transport operators’ goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities by 2041.

Fusion Processing has begun a passenger service in Cambridge, making a start on an autonomous service with a safety driver in the cab to ensure a smooth operation.

A Metroline Spokesperson said:

“This demonstration was part of a feasibility study funded by Innovate UK into the potential for automated vehicle technology to support Vision Zero safety ambitions.

“The demonstration took place on a single day in one bus garage and a safety driver was present at all times. A report containing the findings of this feasibility study is being finalised and will be published shortly. There are no plans for any automated bus trials or services.”

(File picture: Paul Hutton/Highways News)