More routes added to self-driving shuttle test

The autonomous buses will run on more roads in Milton Keynes

Self-driving shuttle buses are set to be tested in more parts of a city centre.

Autonomous vehicles that carry up to eight passengers have been driving around parts of Milton Keynes as part of a trial that started in December.

Now the service will be extended to run between the train station and Hotel La Tour, a distance of about 1.5 miles (2.4km) in the city centre.

The project, led by Milton Keynes Council and local company Smart City Consultancy, hopes to test how the service runs in different traffic conditions.

Vehicles will drive under 15mph and make multiple pick-up and drop-offs along their route.

They will be monitored from a new city centre control room.

New Zealand company Ohmio has built the shuttles, having set up a UK headquarters in Milton Keynes.

Councillor Shanika Mahendran said: "The driverless shuttles are a fantastic example of the innovation that is taking place right here in our city and my thanks go out to all of our partners involved in this project.

"We've been able to show the vehicles off to potential investors and decision makers who were all inspired with the progress we're making in trialling smart city tech."