[ggreer]

Self-driving makes the most economic sense when fewer people are in a vehicle. With a large van or bus, the cost of the human driver is split between more passengers. Also van or bus service is less compelling to individuals, as it makes them beholden to bus stop locations and schedules instead of picking them up and dropping them off when and where they want.

Adding support for wheelchairs introduces new failure modes that would require more software and/or human intervention. For example: Wheelchairs need to be strapped down for safety, and not all wheelchair users can do this themselves.

[jasonpeacock]

> Also van or bus service is less compelling to individuals, as it makes them beholden to bus stop locations and schedules instead of picking them up and dropping them off when and where they want.

Exactly this. The attraction of self-driving transit is the support for individual planning. Everyone gets a direct route to their destination, no delays stopping or detouring for other people.

There's also increased safety in having a personal ride. You're not being hassled, stalked, or threatened by random people.

[no_exit]

> You're not being hassled, stalked, or threatened by random people.

That's an odd thing to say. The only times I've ever been randomly threatened in public were on the road, by another driver.

[jasonpeacock]

Your privilege is showing ;) A quick search easily found some articles for learning more about the topic:

“You’re just constantly on alert”: Women and Gender-Diverse People’s Experiences of Sexual Violence on Public Transport -> https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10515455/

Uncovering gender-based violence and harassment in public transport: Lessons for spatial and transport justice -> https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S09666...

[potato3732842]

>That's an odd thing to say. The only times I've ever been randomly threatened in public were on the road, by another driver.

There's a reason we let drunks ride public transit but not drive.

The bar for conduct behind the wheel is higher than on the subway because the risks and stakes are much higher hence why people get pissed off much easier.

Not getting accosted on the subway is a simple task of not crossing paths with the few people doing the accosting. Not getting accosted on the road requires actively performing in a manner that keeps thing flowing smoothly.

[JumpCrisscross]

> With a large van or bus, the cost of the human driver is split between more passengers

It's also increased in that one must manage the passengers.

[kalleboo]

I'm seeing a lot of talk of there being a shortage of bus drivers in many places, so self-driving could probably still help increase service

[Retric]

That’s offset by dramatically lower prices and significant service in off peak hours.

Net result bus drivers are still a large fraction of the cost of bus service.