Turkey's Karsan self-driving bus hit by a tram in Sweden on first day of service (updated)

Karsan Otomotiv Sanayii ve Ticaret AS

26/05/2026 15:56

Updates May 25 story to add company comment in paragraphs 4-5

    May 26 (Reuters) - A self-driving bus made by Turkey's Karsan KARSN.IS was struck from behind by a tram in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Monday, just an hour after it began carrying paying passengers, the public transport organiser said.
"The bus braked and was hit by the tram," said Patrik Chi, spokesperson at Vasttrafik, a company owned by the regional public transport authority.
The collision, which caused no injuries according to Chi, raises questions about the integration of autonomous vehicles in urban traffic, just as Gothenburg has started a year-long trial of autonomous public transport using Karsan's e-ATAK bus.
Karsan said in a statement on Tuesday the full details of the incident were being evaluated.    
"Based on initial findings, the incident appears to be a traffic-related event occurring within the flow of urban traffic, rather than an issue related to the autonomous driving system," Karsan said.
Footage on public broadcaster SVT's website showed the damage to the bus, and a banner on its rear reading: "Keep distance! The bus may brake sharply."
Chi said the circumstances of the collision needed to be investigated, adding there was a safety driver on board the bus, who was ready to take control if needed.

 (Reporting by Jesus Calero
Editing by Bernadette Baum and Barbara Lewis)
 ((jesus.calero@thomsonreuters.com))