Eltville (dpa/lhe) - After the two-year test phase for the operation of autonomous shuttles, the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsbund (RMV) has drawn a positive interim balance. The self-propelled vehicles were deployed around the sights of Eberbach Abbey in Eltville (Rheingau-Taunus district). "Trust in the technology is high. 99 percent of those surveyed have a positive feeling of safety while driving," said RMV Managing Director Knut Ringat on Wednesday.

The balance is so positive that the pilot project is to be expanded. "Later this year, the shuttles will start on a new test field as on-demand traffic," said Rignat. They can then be booked via a corresponding app. According to RMV, 7,000 passengers were transported by the so-called easy shuttles.

The cars have already been tested over the past few years at several locations such as the Helios Clinics in Wiesbaden, on the banks of the Main in Frankfurt and on the grounds of the central railway workshop in Frankfurt. According to RMV, the vehicles are expected to be on the roads in the RMV area as on-demand shuttles from late 2023 or early 2024.