Efteling launches Netherlands' second public self‑driving shuttle bus

From 12 August, the Dutch theme park Efteling will operate a free, autonomous shuttle bus on public roads, linking the main entrance and Europalaan bus stop with its on‑site accommodations such as the Wonder Hotel, Villa Pardoes, Loonsche Land and Bosrijk. The eight‑week pilot can carry about twenty passengers, is wheelchair‑accessible, and runs during set morning and afternoon windows.

A safety driver from Arriva remains behind the wheel at all times, and a monitoring staff member oversees the vehicle’s sensors and data. The service is a joint trial by Arriva, the province of Noord‑Brabant, the municipality of Loon op Zand, SmartwayZ, the Efteling and Dutch Automated Mobility, the technology developer. It is only the second self‑driving bus to operate on Dutch public roads, following a similar test in Rotterdam.

The pilot will be evaluated for safety, passenger experience and operational feasibility before any decision on a longer‑term service is made.