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Self-driving bus crashes into tram on debut day in Sweden

Photo shows the damaged self-driving bus that was involved in a crash with a tram Gothenburg, Sweden on May 25, 2026. (Photo by Elvira Jansson via sverigesradio.se)
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Photo shows the damaged self-driving bus that was involved in a crash with a tram Gothenburg, Sweden on May 25, 2026. (Photo by Elvira Jansson via sverigesradio.se)
May 25, 2026 04:21 PM GMT+03:00

A self-driving bus was involved in a crash with a tram on its first day carrying passengers in the Swedish city of Gothenburg on Monday, the Vasttrafik public transport company said.

The bus has been taken out of service for inspection, Vasttrafik spokesman Patrik Chi told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"The self-driving bus with people onboard in Gothenburg braked and was hit from behind by a tram. There are no casualties or personal damages," he said.

Despite having no injuries, project manager Per Nyrenius told local news outlet Sweden Herald that ''the project has remained unchanged, but safety is most important."

This photo combo shows the damaged self-driving bus that was involved in a crash with a tram Gothenburg, Sweden on May 25, 2026. (Photo by Elvira Jansson via sverigesradio.se)
This photo combo shows the damaged self-driving bus that was involved in a crash with a tram Gothenburg, Sweden on May 25, 2026. (Photo by Elvira Jansson via sverigesradio.se)

Autonomous transport regulations in Europe

The bus had been circulating in central Gothenburg since the end of March, but Monday was its first day carrying passengers.

A driver was onboard the vehicle to take control if necessary during the trial operation.

Footage published by Swedish public broadcaster SVT showed damage to the bus and a warning banner on its rear reading: “Keep distance! The bus may brake sharply.”

The self-driving bus is almost the same size as a regular bus and travels at the same speed. A driver was on board the vehicle to take control if necessary.

Sweden's Transportstyrelsen transport agency had given the green light for the bus to carry passengers on a trial lasting until July 31, 2027.

Self-driving buses and shuttles in Europe operate under local authorizations, granted city by city and route by route, often on private roads.

The EU has not yet granted Europe-wide approvals for commercial deployment of self-driving public transport or robotaxis.

May 25, 2026 04:59 PM GMT+03:00
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