Self-driving buses could create tens of thousands of jobs in Northern Ireland

Plans for driverless buses still look a long way off and will require a human worker on board, according to National Secretary Andy Prendergast.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said that self-driving vehicles could add tens of billions to our economy and create tens of thousands of jobs within a few years.

He said that this is a huge opportunity to drive forward our priority to grow the economy, which we are determined to seize.

The North East Automotive Alliance V-Cal project has been given 8 m to trial the use of automated, zero-emission HGVs carrying car parts on private land and public roads, where they will need to navigate traffic lights, roundabouts, security gates, bridges, and other road users.

A total of 6 m will be spent on a project involving Stagecoach North East and Newcastle University to test an automated passenger service between Sunderland's transport interchange and Sunderland's University of Sunderland City Campus and Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Stagecoach and bus builder Alexander Dennis are being given 10.4 million for a full-sized, self-driving bus service in Edinburgh, which the government believes would be a world first.

There will be projects to develop a zero-emission, self-driving HGV with supermarket chain Asda and carry passengers and goods on driverless shuttles across Belfast's Harbour Estate.

The government grants 42 million dollars for the seven projects.