BERLIN / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – A new study shows that the use of autonomous vehicles in Germany’s public transport could enable significant cost savings. By 2047, 75 percent of public transport could be operated by autonomous buses, which could lead to a reduction in government subsidies of up to 80 percent per kilometer.
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According to a recent study by management consultancy PwC and the University of St. Gallen, the introduction of autonomous vehicles in Germany’s local public transport could bring about significant cost savings. The analysis predicts that around 75 percent of public transport could be operated with autonomous buses by 2047. This would not only increase efficiency, but also significantly reduce the financial burden on the federal and state governments.
In order to achieve this goal, around 85,300 autonomous buses and robotaxis would have to be in use by 2047. This fleet would consist of large buses for up to 60 passengers, smaller buses for up to 16 passengers and so-called robotaxis. The cost of building this fleet is estimated at around 5.7 billion euros. There are currently numerous pilot projects running in Germany that are testing the use of autonomous buses in limited areas.
A key advantage of autonomous buses is the savings in operating costs. According to PwC, public subsidies per kilometer could be reduced by up to 80 percent as costs for drivers are eliminated. Savings could also be achieved in vehicle production because components such as mirrors, steering wheels and pedals can be dispensed with. These savings could help close the funding gap in public transport caused by the pandemic and the Deutschlandticket.
The financing of public transport in Germany is currently heavily dependent on government subsidies. Before the pandemic, transport companies were able to cover around 75 percent of their operating costs through ticket revenue. However, with the introduction of the Deutschlandticket, this ratio has been reversed, and now 70 percent of operating costs come from public funds. A largely autonomous bus fleet could reduce this proportion to below 60 percent.
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