Two autonomous Karsan e-ATAK electric buses have started passenger service on the 5-kilometre route between Meijersplein metro station and Rotterdam Airport.
This new service, operated under a contract between Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram (RET), DAM Shuttles, and Karsan, marks the world’s first dedicated autonomous airport transfer service. It is also Karsan’s inaugural export to the Netherlands.
The autonomous e-ATAK buses, developed in partnership with technology firm ADASTEC, had previously been trialled on routes in the USA, Norway, Turkey, Romania, and France. Notably, the vehicles were also the first self-driving buses in Europe to navigate a tunnel during their operations in Norway.
The e-ATAK is capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h in autonomous mode, and performs all functions of a bus driver without the need for intervention, including stopping, passenger management, navigation handling and traffic light decisions.
