Durham Region Transit yesterday announced that it has suspended the autonomous Wave shuttle following an ‘incident’.
The matter has been referred to the Durham regional Police Services (DRPS).
DRT did not elaborate on what that ‘incident’ was.
However, Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) tweeted that Watson Street West was closed at Victoria Street West in Whitby for a collision involving an autonomous vehicle.
“The male operator suffered critical injuries. Taken to a trauma center. Collision investigators on scene with Ministry of Labour.”
It was not clear what the operator was doing on the autonomous shuttle.
“Durham Region Transit (DRT) and project partners have been informed of an incident involving the Wave shuttle,” said a brief DRT tweet issued yesterday.
“Public safety is our priority and the matter is now with the DRPS,” it said.
DRT said: “All shuttle services are temporarily out of service until further notice.”
Wave (Whitby Autonomous Vehicle Electric) shuttle has been plying along the waterfront in Whitby. The six-kilometre shuttle route begins and end at the Whitby GO Transit station, making a loop through the residential, recreational and industrial areas of the Port Whitby neighbourhood (in south Whitby).