[mft_]

It doesn't neccessarily invalidate your overall point, but a bus driver would cost significantly more than $10/h. In Germany, the hourly rate is closer to double that, plus additional costs the employer must pay, such as taxes and a contribution towards healthcare. Plus the overhead of recruitment, training, HR, uniforms, sickness cover, etc...

[vidarh]

And when you've bought the bus, a self-driving bus can operate 24/7, but to get 24/7 coverage with drivers you need at least 3 drivers per bus, probably more like 4 when accounting for illness and time off. You can cut that a bit and cut operating hours without major effect on service, but it's still going to be more than 1 at least.