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Malta鈥檚 First Autonomous Bus Arrives as Part of the metaCCAZE Project
A new autonomous bus has officially arrived in Malta, marking a major step in the European-funded project. The electric autonomous vehicle will undergo a structured testing phase over the next few months on selected routes in Malta and Gozo.
The pilot is being led locally by Malta Public Transport, the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, and the University of Malta.
The research is being led by Prof. Maria Attard and Dr Karyn Scerri from the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Malta. As part of the project, the research team is currently collecting feedback from the public via an online survey to better understand local attitudes towards autonomous mobility technologies.
The pilot project aims to explore how autonomous and connected mobility solutions can improve transport systems by making them smarter, safer, and more sustainable for communities.
Designed to carry up to 15 passengers, the autonomous bus will operate with a trained safety operator on board at all times, ensuring immediate intervention if required. Operations will begin through a phased rollout, starting with controlled trials before gradually opening the service to the public on pre-approved routes expected to launch in June this year.
Route trials are planned for San Lawrenz in Gozo and Kalkara in Malta, where the vehicle will operate in real-world conditions as part of the testing programme.
The autonomous bus will also be showcased during the University of Malta Freshers’ Week, giving students and staff the opportunity to experience the technology up close and learn more about the future of intelligent and sustainable transport.
The Malta and Gozo pilot forms part of the wider metaCCAZE initiative, which is bringing together cities and regions across Europe to test innovative electric, automated, and connected mobility solutions for both passenger and freight transport. Alongside Malta and Gozo, pilot projects are also taking place in several European cities, including Tampere in Finland and Amsterdam in the Netherlands, all working towards a shared vision of cleaner, more efficient, and net-zero transport systems.
As the autonomous bus prepares to begin its journey on Maltese roads, the project represents not only a technological milestone but also an important opportunity for Malta to help shape the future of mobility in Europe.
