Russia Rolls Out “Smart” Eco-Buses That Watch the Roads—and the Riders
In the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, the next generation of public transport combines AI-driven safety systems, live surveillance, and cleaner fuel.
Russia’s push toward smarter, greener cities just hit the streets. In Krasnoyarsk, officials launched 40 new eco-friendly buses running on compressed natural gas — and packed with advanced digital systems. Each vehicle is integrated into the national “Safe City” platform, designed to make urban transport cleaner, safer, and more efficient.
Buses with Brains
Every bus carries eight high-resolution cameras — five inside the cabin and three outside. The footage is archived and streamed in real time to the city’s Safe City control center. The system can identify individuals using facial recognition and flag incidents instantly. Exterior cameras also scan road conditions, spotting potholes or damaged traffic signs automatically.
In addition to video monitoring, the buses use telemetry systems to track location and passenger-count sensors to adjust routes and schedules dynamically.
Governor Mikhail Kotyukov said 40 buses are already operating on city routes, and another 110 will join the fleet by the end of 2025.
The result is a public transit system that’s not only cleaner but wired for safety and efficiency — a glimpse of how Russia is reengineering everyday infrastructure through connected urban tech.
