FLEX electric driverless shuttle operating in Australia

A driverless public electric shuttle is operating around South Australia’s Tonsley Innovation District as part of a trial set to include public roads. The five-year project, valued at AU$4m (£2.2m), is intended to build public acceptance of the technology. Initially, the Navya Arma Flinders Express (FLEX) shuttle will offer first mile-last mile services between the Clovelly Park train station and Tonsley main assembly building, then connections to bus stops on the main South Road and businesses within th
June 25, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
A driverless public electric shuttle is operating around South Australia’s Tonsley Innovation District as part of a trial set to include public roads. The five-year project, valued at AU$4m (£2.2m), is intended to build public acceptance of the technology.


Initially, the 8379 Navya Arma Flinders Express (FLEX) shuttle will offer first mile-last mile services between the Clovelly Park train station and Tonsley main assembly building, then connections to bus stops on the main South Road and businesses within the Tonsley precinct.

Commuters arriving at Tonsley by bus or train can book a journey on Flinders %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external website false https://www.flinders.edu.au/flex-bus false false%>.

The intention is to extend FLEX within a year to include the Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus and then along main arterial roads around the entire Bedford Park precinct.

The shuttle can carry up to 15 passengers at 30km per hour. An operator will be on board to provide users with information on the technology and ensure their safety.

The project is part of an agreement with Flinders University and the RAA and Department of Planning. Other partners include 6667 Cohda Wireless, Renewal SA, 8499 Sage Automation, Telstra, UPG, ZenEnergy and public transport operator 6546 Keolis Downer.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New Flyer to deliver nearly 200 diesel-electric buses to Massachusetts
    January 10, 2019
    New Flyer of America is to deliver 194 heavy-duty Xcelsior diesel-electric transit buses to Massachusetts to replace buses which are at the end of their life. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) placed the order in 2010 and now has more than 200 forty-foot and 70 sixty-foot diesel-electric buses in operation. The hybrid buses, supported by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants, will replace end-of-life vehicles. MBTA ordered its first New Flyer hybrid bus in 2010, and now has
    Read More
  • Trafi and BVG launch all-in-one mobility app in Berlin
    February 21, 2019
    Technology firm Trafi has partnered with public transport company Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) to launch a mobility app which it says integrates all modes of transport in Berlin, Germany. Trafi claims that the Jelbi app will allow users to access the city’s entire public transportation system including scooters, bikes, ride-hailing and car-sharing as well as taxis. The idea is that users can plan and book journeys without needing to sign up to additional companies or jump between different apps.
    Read More
  • Lyft establishes dedicated pick-up zone at Toronto shopping centre
    December 21, 2018
    Lyft has established a dedicated zone at the west exit of the Cadillac Fairview Toronto Eaton Shopping Centre to help visitors get to and from the venue. Riders can then use Lyft’s app to choose specific pick-up and drop-off points around the shopping centre’s offices, shops and restaurants. The partnership says it will gather feedback and adapt the service to meet the needs of riders. Last month, Lyft entered an agreement with the Regional Transportation Commission of South Nevada to offer cheaper ride
    Read More
  • Over 150km of cycle paths to be implemented in Slovakia
    July 2, 2018
    More than 150km of cycle paths will be implemented in Slovakia to provide commuters with a cleaner alternative to car journeys. The move follows a call from the agriculture and rural development ministry to increase capacity for non-motorised transport. The ministry has now approved 63 cycle projects worth approximately €30.7m, says NewsNow. Gabriela Matecna, agriculture and rural development minister, says €81.8m has now been allocated for non-motorised transport schemes. The ministry has received 87
    Read More

Highlighted Content