By DPA,
Nuremberg (Germany) : Germany’s first driverless mass-transit train went into operation Sunday without fanfare in the southern city of Nuremberg, with a computer in charge for the whole day.
Driverless trains are already in use in other nations, including the Singapore’s North East Metro Line (NEL) operating since 2003, but Nuremberg says its system is unique because it mixes human-driven and computer-controlled trains on the same track.
The Nuremberg operating company, VAG, said it sent one train out on test services on the 6.5-km track without an announcement for fear that half the city would want a ride on the first day. Tests would continue Saturdays and Sundays.
The official inauguration of the 600-million-euro ($900-million) system is set for June 14.
Although Germany already has a few driverless light trains at special sites, for example at airports, all of its urban train networks to date have been operated by men and women drivers.