# European Agencies Launch Autonomous Bus Pilots

European transportation agencies and government partners are advancing autonomous bus deployment through a series of pilot projects and funding agreements, with major initiatives underway in Germany, the UK, and Scandinavia. Notable efforts include the ALIKE project in Hamburg targeting up to 10,000 autonomous shuttles by 2030, a UK-backed £4.35 million pilot in Scotland, and the MINGA research project in Munich. Key manufacturers such as Karsan, MAN, and Volvo are collaborating with technology providers and local authorities to address regulatory, operational, and workforce challenges, while union agreements in Ohio and targeted government funding are shaping adoption strategies through the late 2020s.

- **Why this matters:** These pilots signal growing procurement opportunities for autonomous vehicle technology, depot automation, and supporting digital infrastructure across Europe and North America
- Government funding and public-private partnerships are critical to scaling production and achieving four-digit vehicle purchase quantities, as highlighted by industry leaders
- Vendors and contractors should monitor upcoming tenders and funding calls, especially in Germany and the UK, as agencies seek scalable, cost-effective autonomous bus solutions
- Organizations may find increased demand for integration services, operational support, and workforce transition planning as pilot projects move toward full-scale deployment by 2030

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Transportation, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Ministry of Transport
- VDV
- Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG)

### Vendors
- Karsan (bus manufacturer and autonomous bus provider)
- Adastec (autonomous driving software provider)
- MAN Truck & Bus (bus manufacturer and autonomous bus developer)

### Key Quotes
> Then we need to guarantee four-digit purchase quantities by means of targeted funding from the new federal government as public transport for the industry so that the vehicles can also be produced in large numbers in Germany with the associated effects
> — Ingo Wortmann, President, VDV

> We believe there’s a clear return on investment in the bus market. The operational costs are very high, so if we can lower those costs with automation and electrification, we can create revenue for the software and the technology – It’s an equation. In ADASTEC’s case, we will break even at around 200 buses. If we can handle between 50 and 100 million and end up with a product that saves money for bus fleets, then it’s a workable use case
> — Ali Ufuk Peker, CEO, Adastec

### Sources
- [Autonomous buses in public transport, a driverless future ahead?](https://www.sustainable-bus.com/its/autonomous-bus-public-transport-driverless-driverless) - Sustainable Bus