People in Lowestoft will get the chance to ride on the self-driving shuttle bus as the vehicle is trialled on Saturday, February 28.

Starting from the East Point Pavilion, the autonomous vehicle - which has no steering wheel or driver’s seat - will allow anyone to enjoy a ride along the promenade.

The trial ADASTRA autonomous vehicle that will hit Lowestoft this weekend. Image: Suffolk County Council (Image: Bruno Giesteira/Suffolk County Council)

The self-driving bus will be on show in Lowestoft from 10am to 2pm tomorrow as part of a special transport trial.

People will be able to experience a ride aboard the ADASTRA prototype and see how self-driving shuttle technology could shape the future of local travel.

A total of eight seated passengers with a safety operator will be able to travel up to 15mph (24km/h) during the trial on the Ohmio Lift shuttle bus.

Locals will also have the chance to ask questions and share their views on how it should work for their communities, as Suffolk County Council holds the event on February 28.

Organisers of the popular Lowestoft Parkrun, which operates along the seafront on Saturday mornings, said the shuttle bus trial would not affect its weekly event.

The ADASTRA prototype, built in New Zealand, is designed to be a fully autonomous vehicle.

It is anticipated that self-driving shuttles will operate as part of the whole mobility system that includes walking, wheeling, cycling, buses, trains, and shared mobility solutions such as e-scooters, e-bikes, and car clubs, in addition to privately-run cars.

The county council is holding this latest event after a similar showcase in Mildenhall.

These events have been organised alongside an online survey that is running that is seeking your views on how you feel about using a self-driving shuttle and how you expect a shuttle service to operate:

A county council spokesman said: "We will use your feedback to shape how operational shuttle services can provide the convenient and safe travel option as part of the whole mobility system to get you to the places you need and want to go to."

© Eastern Daily Press