PTO Budget and Resources Guide For AMoD Deployment

The guide is intended to help PTOs define, design and evaluate potential AMoD use cases. Based on a detailed analysis of the Leuven use case, it provides a broader overview of AMoD deployment scenarios. It considers service designs and local mobility needs, and provides practical advice on integrating AMoD into strategic plans.

How Public Transport Operators Can Get Ready for Self-Driving Shuttles

Public transport is changing fast. One of the biggest changes is the rise of Automated Mobility on Demand (AMoD). These are self-driving shuttles that pick up passengers only when needed. They don’t follow fixed schedules or routes — instead, they stop where and when someone asks. Sounds futuristic? It’s already happening in parts of Europe!

At CAMINO, we believe these shuttles can make transport smarter, greener, and more reliable. But how do public transport operators (PTOs) prepare for this new way of working?

What is AMoD?

AMoD stands for Automated Mobility on Demand. It uses self-driving vehicles to offer flexible and efficient transport. A good example is the ParkShuttle in the Netherlands, which has been running since 1999. It operates on a separate road and carries over 1,800 people every day. During rush hour, it follows a timetable. At other times, you can book it online.

AMoD is especially useful in low-density areas where normal buses don’t make financial sense. It can also help reduce car usage and cut CO2 emissions — good news for cities and the planet.

What Do PTOs Need to Do?

To prepare for AMoD, public transport operators must take on new responsibilities:

  • Buy and maintain self-driving vehicles.

  • Build charging stations and update roads if needed.

  • Use digital tools to manage the fleet, plan routes, and allow users to book trips.

  • Train new staff, including safety operators and IT specialists.

  • Follow laws and safety rules for self-driving systems.

These are big steps. But they are needed to make sure AMoD runs safely and smoothly.

What Does It Cost?

There are two types of costs for AMoD:

  1. Capital costs (CAPEX) – Buying vehicles, building infrastructure, etc.

  2. Operational costs (OPEX) – Daily costs like energy, maintenance, insurance, and staff.

The good news? The cost of self-driving vehicles is going down. Insurance may also get cheaper over time because automated driving is often safer than human driving.

PTOs can share costs with passengers and the public transport authority. In time, this system can be cheaper than traditional buses, especially for longer trips or hard-to-reach places.

Step-by-Step Plan for AMoD Deployment

CAMINO suggests a 5-phase plan for PTOs:

  1. Planning & Study: Understand local transport needs, check laws, compare costs.

  2. Build Infrastructure: Get the right vehicles, install charging stations, create the booking platform.

  3. Test the System: Start with a small pilot. Gather feedback and improve.

  4. Full Roll-Out: Expand to more areas, make sure it works well and safely.

  5. Review & Improve: Keep track of costs, user happiness, and efficiency. Adjust when needed.

A New Future for Public Transport

AMoD is not just a tech upgrade — it’s a whole new way of thinking about mobility. Public transport operators will still play a key role. But their work will be more digital, more flexible, and more connected to users’ real-time needs.

By planning carefully and working step by step, PTOs can lead the change and build a better transport future for everyone.

Deliverable: PTO Budget and Resources Guide For AMoD Deployment. Download via the pdf button below.


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