On 18 February, the EPF Secretariat took part in a field visit in Leuven to experience the new autonomous shuttle currently being tested by De Lijn. The pilot, taking place in the city of Leuven, aims to explore how self-driving technology can operate safely and effectively in real urban conditions.

As a passenger organisation, it was important for us to assess the service not from a technical perspective, but from the point of view of users: How does it feel? Does it feel safe? Is it understandable? Would passengers trust it?

First impressions

Overall, the experience was positive, and in several respects, it challenged initial assumptions.

The shuttle was not overly slow, as one might expect from a pilot vehicle. It navigated mixed traffic remarkably well, including:

  • Busy intersections
  • Cyclists and pedestrians
  • Zebra crossings (where it stopped automatically)
  • Road works and temporary detours

The vehicle demonstrated cautious but confident behaviour. It braked when cyclists approached, manoeuvred appropriately when other cars were coming, and clearly detected obstacles and changes in road layout. Passengers could see the shuttle’s awareness of its surroundings through the interior display and mirror system, which enhanced the feeling of transparency and control.

Colleagues noted that their perception of safety and trust shifted positively during the ride.

Safety features and onboard experience

The shuttle includes visible safety features that contribute to passenger confidence:

  • The current speed is displayed onboard.
  • The system indicates which passengers have fastened their seatbelts.
  • A safety driver remains present and attentive at all times.

The presence of the safety driver was experienced positively, not as a sign of weakness, but as reassurance during the pilot phase.

The ride was generally smooth, although braking could be slightly more gradual in future iterations. Stops were mostly comfortable, but further fine-tuning would improve overall ride quality.

Information and accessibility

While the core driving performance impressed us, some passenger-facing elements could be strengthened:

  • Announcements for the next stop were very brief and disappeared quickly.
  • Adding audio information could be a positive aspect (inclusion of those who are visually impaired).
  • After the stop announcement, the system quickly switched to a seatbelt reminder, which felt abrupt.
  • Ticket purchase onboard is currently not possible.

From a passenger perspective, information and ticketing are essential components of usability. Autonomous technology should not only function safely, it must also be intuitive, accessible and inclusive.

Audio announcements and better visibility of stop information would improve accessibility, particularly for older passengers or those with visual or hearing impairments.

Public curiosity and social acceptance

One of the most striking observations was the public reaction.

People along the route were visibly fascinated. Pedestrians and cyclists slowed down to observe. At bus stops, people of different age groups were curious and engaged. Passengers boarding and alighting reflected a mix of demographics, showing that interest in the technology is not limited to one specific group.

This level of curiosity is a strong indicator that autonomous public transport can generate public engagement, provided that safety, transparency and usability remain central.

Passenger-centred innovation matters

From EPF’s perspective, the Leuven pilot demonstrates that autonomous shuttles can operate safely in real-world conditions and that user trust can develop quickly through direct experience.

At the same time, the visit reinforced a key message which is that, innovation in public transport must remain passenger-centred.

Driving performance is only one dimension. Information clarity, ticketing integration, accessibility, comfort and inclusiveness are equally important if autonomous services are to become part of everyday mobility.

This experience also directly feeds into EPF’s role with the Horizon Europe project CCAMbassador (Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility Assessment & Stakeholder Dedicated and Operational Awareness Raising). In this project, EPF contributes to assessing citizens’ awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM). Real-life testing, such a as the Leuven autonomous shuttle pilot, provides valuable sight into how public trust develops, how reservations shift once passengers experience technology firsthand, and wat practical improvements are still needed to ensure broader societal acceptance.

Ensuring that automated mobility evolves in a way that reflects users’ expectations and real-world needs is central to EPF’s role and contribution to CCAMbassador.