AFTER transporting more than 11,100 people along the South Perth Esplanade, the RAC Intellibus is expected to make its 5000th trip this week.
The fully electric driverless shuttle bus has racked up more than 17,400 km travelling between its hub at Sir James Mitchell Park and the Old Mill since its trial launch in August 2016.
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READ NOWCity of South Perth mayor Sue Doherty said having the Intellibus has been worthwhile for residents of all generations, including the younger ones.
“There was a group of school children who did some work in conjunction with the RAC down at the Old Mill,” she said.
“It developed an awareness for them for what transport in the future will be.
“They talked about the previous forms of transport from those days and that was a history lesson for them but they used a lot of technology as well to interact with the kids.”
News of the driverless shuttle bus in South Perth has attracted visitors from other suburbs including Dianella resident Pauline Jerman.
“I want to know its reaction time and thought I’ll just ride it, it looks fun,” she said.
RAC public policy general manager Anne Still said there hasn’t been a firm end date for the trial.
“What we really want to make sure is that the community has got a chance to see and use the vehicle and really get a chance to be exposed to the technology while it’s still in development,” she said.
The RAC Intellibus is set to arrive in Busselton to be the first driverless vehicle on travelling on regional roads later this year.
Book a ride on rac.com.au/intellibus.