If you thought touring the Hunter's wine region is an experience and-a-half, how do driverless vehicles sound?
Singleton Council has joined forces with HMI Technologies, Professional Data Kinetics and Around Hermitage Association to produce an expression of interest for the new vehicle trial to proceed.
The expression is hoped to be presented to NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, and gain approval for the automated shuttle network to be pushed around the Hunter Valley and Pokolbin area.
The driverless shuttle is planned to deliver customers between the famous wineries, restaurants and accommodation across a 6 Kilometer drive.
The route will cross along Hermitage Road, set against the Brokenback Mountain Range and the surrounds.
Mayor of Singleton, Sue Moore, believes this new service has the potential to bring more job and economic opportunities to the area, with levels of interest, thought to peak as a result of the innovative vehicle service.
"The reality is, a driverless network is a perfect solution for visitors to Hermitage Road to experience the food and wine, craft beer, olive groves and day spas our region is famous for," says Moore.
The trial is expected to introduce two new technical-related jobs, aiming to support additional job prospects in tourism and engineering.
Moore says, "It'll be safe, comfortable, and most importantly it will support the local economy."
Image sourced: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g255328-d318294-i80329546-Mount_Pleasant_Wines-Pokolbin_Greater_Newcastle_New_South_Wales.html
