Passengers told to wear seatbelts on UK's first autonomous bus service in Scotland

Bus users hopping onboard the UK’s first self-driving bus service have been told to wear seatbelts.

The instructions for the new Autonomous Bus No.1 (AB1), operated by Stagecoach, were revealed in a new video on how to travel aboard the new vehicles.

Unlike a standard human-driving bus, managers of these new robot buses, launching between Fife and Edinburgh this spring, advise their passengers buckle in for the duration of the trip.

The instructions said: “Seatbelts are fitted and should be worn during your journey.”

Stagecoach said the seatbelts were to ensure customer comfort and safety.

The driverless buses, part of the wider CAVForth project, have sensors enabling them to travel on pre-selected roads at up to 50mph.

They will have two members of staff on board: a safety driver will sit in the driver's seat to monitor the technology, and a so-called bus captain who will help passengers with boarding, buying tickets and queries.

The 14-mile route, due to open on for public use on 15 May, will run between Ferrytoll park and ride in Fife and Edinburgh Park train and tram interchange, taking passengers across the Forth Bridges.

Contactless payments, concessionary passes and applicable multi-trip tickets are accepted onboard.

Passengers can also track their journey on the Stagecoach app.

Like a standard bus, there are bells on board to press whenever customers wish to get off. Though Stagecoach said the AB1 will stop at every stop on the route.