First Autonomous Bus Pilot Hits Public Roads in Israel

Israel’s Ministry of Transportation has launched the country’s first pilot of an autonomous bus operating on public roads, marking a significant milestone in smart transportation. The Haifa-based autonomous driving software company, Imagry, received approval to test the bus on a regular urban route in the northern city of Nahariya.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev highlighted Israel’s leadership in transportation technologies, saying, “Our office has become an incubator for Israeli technology and hi-tech companies, upgrade the travel experience, help reduce congestion, and contribute significantly to road safety.”

In partnership with Nativ Express, the electric autonomous bus will run an eight-kilometer route, starting and ending at the Nahariya Mall and passing through the city's busiest areas. The trial will evaluate the bus’s performance in various road, visibility, and weather conditions, as well as its response to pedestrians, traffic circles, and other road events.

Equipped with an electric motor that allows it to travel up to 200 kilometers on a single charge, the bus can accommodate up to 32 passengers and features an electric ramp for wheelchair users.

Dror Bin, CEO of Israel’s Innovation Authority, praised the trial as a “historic breakthrough” that positions Israel at the forefront of safe and smart transportation. He emphasized that the next step will be fully integrating autonomous buses into everyday life, including automatic payment systems and accessibility solutions for the disabled.

“What was yesterday science fiction, today becomes a reality on Israel’s roads,” Bin said.

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