Helsinki Robobus Line project to run till Nov

The six-month experimental robot bus service between Redi shopping centre and the Isoisänsilta Bridge in Kalasatama area of Helsinki will continue till November.

The robot bus service started in May under the several-year Helsinki RobobusLine project, said a press release of Helsinki City.

The bus, in service on line 26R, and its timetable are included in the Journey Planner of Helsinki Region Transport (HSL).

The robot bus – an electric minibus – operates and carries passengers in regular traffic. Rides are free of charge to passengers during the experimental phase.

The robot bus is operated by Rolan Oy, and the project is managed by the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.

The robot-bus shuttle in Kalasatama is in service on weekdays from 9:00am to 02:55pm, making three rounds in an hour. The three stops on the route are Redi, Polariksenkatu and Isoisänsilta. The minibus can take eight passengers on board at a time. Some departures may, however, be cancelled. All disruptions and cancelled departures are announced in the Journey Planner.

Robot buses are developed as a solution for the last-mile service -- taking riders from trunk line stops and public transport stations to stops near their homes and offices. On the Kalasatama robot bus line, this principle is put into practice for the first time in a highly urban testing environment. The experiment is also used to survey passengers on their user experience to explore the usability of robot buses.

Robot bus experiments support Helsinki’s goal to render the city carbon neutral by 2035 by providing customers with carbon-free mobility alternatives.