GermanyTravel and aviation2017–2024DB Regio / Regionalbus Ostbayern
Autonomous buses in Bad Birnbach
DB Regio's Bad Birnbach autonomous buses stopped after the supplier announced its passenger transport exit
Problem
The project tested autonomous public transport in a rural town. Its later on-demand service aimed to improve access to health facilities and everyday shopping.
Approach
DB Regio began autonomous scheduled service in 2017 and added an on-demand shuttle in 2022. In December 2024, the district said EasyMile planned to leave passenger transportation and could provide little or none of the necessary service and support. The partners concluded that safe, reliable operation could no longer be assured and stopped the shuttles on 31 December 2024. The district said the service had been well received locally.
Results
No published figures
Takeaway
Local acceptance did not protect the service from the loss of specialist maintenance and software support.
Categories
- Size
- Large enterprise
- Industry
- Travel and aviation
- Business function
- Production and qualityCustomer service
- Innovation type
- Product and service innovationProcess innovation
- AI technology
- Robotics and automation
- Adoption
- Partner co-development
- Evidence
- Company's own claim
Sources
Source summaries
The district announced the year-end closure after EasyMile's planned withdrawal from passenger transportation. It said insufficient support prevented continued safe operation, while describing positive local acceptance.
Heise reported the supplier's strategic withdrawal and the resulting closure. It described the development from scheduled service to an additional on-demand offering.
Full details are in the original sources.
