“Autonomous vehicles enable us to open up peripheral regions.”

What does the future of mobility look like? Christian G. Pluess, CEO of CarPostal SA, shares his vision in the latest issue of the SAAM mag.

Written by

Raphaël Sauvain

Published on

07/11/2024

BlogSAAM Magazine

Mr Plüss, how important is automated mobility for you?

We are indeed a pioneer in automated driving. PostBus is the first public transport company to put an autonomous bus into operation. Unfortunately, this very exciting experiment in Sion has now come to an end. But the issue is of strategic importance. Autonomous driving will become part of public transport.

SmartShuttle 3 — *Automated shuttles in Sion – photo: PostBus*

Which customer needs can it solve?

I see the greatest potential in the peripheral regions. We will be able to improve shuttle services to the nearest railway station or bus stop. We can provide a new, low-cost offer with smaller vehicles and open up peripheral regions with autonomous vehicles. This will make the mobility offer more flexible for customers.

When do you expect this scenario to become a reality throughout Switzerland?

I can’t forecast this as yet. We will be happy if we can launch a pilot project in the next few years to try it out. First, it must be possible to integrate such a service into public transport. But if that works, I’m convinced that scaling will follow naturally, because then everyone will see the advantages.

Government policy is currently setting the framework conditions. What would you like parliament to do?

I am pleased that the new Road Traffic Act has become a lot more flexible. From next year, we will be able to introduce autonomous driving with remote control. This will allow us to launch pilot projects. If the experience is positive, the legislation will certainly gradually become better and even more flexible. On the other hand, we will need appropriate funding for these types of public transport projects. We can’t finance everything ourselves. I hope politicians will support this.

SAAM ensures exchange between projects and pools resources.

PostBus is an important partner of SAAM. Why are you involved in the association?

SAAM is extremely important. Before SAAM was founded, there were many uncoordinated projects in Switzerland. SAAM ensures exchange between the projects and pools resources. We are able to exchange ideas and launch pilot projects with other partners.

Christian Plüss has been the CEO of PostBus and a member of the Swiss Post management board since 2018. PostBus SmartShuttles were the first automated vehicles in the world to be used on public transport. In this interview, the geophysicist reveals how PostBus will once again be a pioneer in the field of automated driving thanks to the new legislation.