Malta set to trial driverless buses

Malta is set to trial autonomous buses under a new legislative framework designed to prioritise safety, testing and evidence gathering, MaltaToday has learnt.

Proposed regulations by Transport Malta would allow a small autonomous bus to operate on pre-approved routes as part of an EU-funded pilot project. The initiative involves collaboration between the University of Malta and Malta Public Transport, the public transport operator.

Sources privy to the initiative explained trials are expected to take place in both Malta and Gozo. Two routes have been identified: A connection between Smart City and Esplora science centre, both located in Kalkara; and another running from the village of San Lawrenz to Ta’ Dbieġi Crafts Village in Gozo. The project is set to run until 2027.

The initiative does not introduce fully driverless vehicles. Each autonomous bus will be required to carry a qualified driver at all times, capable of taking control instantly if needed. The exercise is being carried out under supervised testing rather than a public rollout of autonomous transport.

Sources close to the project explained the need for new legislation stems from existing laws, which require a driver to maintain full control of a vehicle at all times, preventing any real-world testing of autonomous systems. The proposed framework creates what sources described as a strict legal sandbox, allowing limited experimentation under tightly controlled conditions.

A model of an autonomous bus produced by Volvo

Under the new rules, the use of autonomous vehicles will be restricted exclusively to testing. Only approved operators will be permitted to run trials, with authorisation required for each specific route. The legislation will also impose time limits on the trials and mandate the presence of a licensed driver onboard every vehicle.

Sources explained the project is intended to position Malta within broader European smart mobility initiatives while building local expertise in emerging technologies. By adopting a phased and controlled approach, authorities aim to gather real-world data before making any long-term policy decisions or committing to potentially costly infrastructure, sources explained.

The trials are a low-risk exercise designed to assess whether autonomous transport could function effectively within Malta’s specific road conditions, rather than a signal that driverless buses will be introduced in the near future.