Onnibus

Onnibus is a proposed urban mobility concept that envisions a scalable, on-demand fleet of autonomous transit pods operating as a flexible omnibus network. The name blends on-demand travel with the traditional omnibus, signaling a hybrid between demand-responsive and fixed-route mass transit.

In principle, Onnibus routes are determined by real-time demand rather than fixed schedules. Users summon a pod via a mobile app, and algorithms group requests to optimize shared trips. Stops are informal and may shift to curbside micro-hubs or transfer points as needed.

The technology stack includes autonomous driving systems, centralized AI routing, vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communications, and unified fare platforms. Success depends on reliable data, curb access management, and scalable fleet operations that can handle peak and off-peak variability.

Development has been largely theoretical and in pilot studies within transportation research since the early 2010s. Some cities have conducted limited experiments with dynamic routing or autonomous shuttles, but a full-scale Onnibus system has not been widely implemented.

Advocates argue Onnibus could reduce private car use, lower emissions, and improve accessibility by timing and routing to demand. Critics note high capital and operating costs, potential energy inefficiencies at low utilization, and equity concerns related to access and data privacy. The concept remains a subject of academic discussion and pilot testing rather than a broadly deployed transportation solution.

See also: on-demand transportation, dynamic routing, autonomous shuttles.