June update

The wheels on the driverless bus will soon stop going round and round at Raby Bay as the Redlands Coast Smart Mobility Trial draws to a close.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the RACQ Smart Shuttle would travel its last circuit along Masthead Drive on 26 June.

“So far 1,339 passengers have taken a free ride, with the EasyMile vehicle travelling more than 3,000 kilometres since November last year,” Cr Williams said.

“I encourage all Redlands Coast residents and visitors to the area to hop on board for their last chance to taste the future of public transport.

“The first stop is an easy 350 metre walk from Cleveland railway station, with a 1.9 kilometre loop connecting the Raby Bay Harbour precinct to Raby Bay Foreshore Park along Masthead Drive. “

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell thanked Raby Bay residents for their patience while the trial has been underway.

“It is an exciting new chapter for transport with Redland City Council once again partnering with RACQ for phase two of the smart mobility trial,” Cr Mitchell said.

“Locating the second phase at Raby Bay enabled the driverless technology to be tested in a more complex live-traffic environment than that of tiny Karragarra Island, where phase one of the trail was conducted.”

Councillor Williams said Redlands Coast faced a number of transport challenges; and by partnering with RACQ in these trials, Council had demonstrated its commitment to finding innovative ways to help our residents overcome these challenges.

“The valuable insights gained will help guide Council’s policy development and advocacy efforts with relation to transport within the city and linking to our region,” she said.

“We are happy to have played our part and wish RACQ well as their Smart Shuttle leaves Redlands Coast to continue its journey on other Queensland roads.”

RACQ Head of Public Policy Susan Furze thanked Mayor Williams and the Redland City Council team for its partnership in integrating the driverless technology on local roads.

“Our vision is for all Queenslanders to have access to safe, affordable and sustainable transport options, so to have the opportunity to test new technologies like this in a live-traffic environment goes a long way in helping us realise future possibilities,” Ms Furze said.

“We will now be looking closely at the learnings and feedback from the trials at both Raby Bay and Karragarra Island to help us better understand and develop how driverless transport options could help serve communities in the future.”

The Redlands Coast Smart Mobility trial is a joint initiative between the RACQ and Redland City Council, which will trial the use of the RACQ Smart Shuttle at Raby Bay, Cleveland.