The aim of the flagship project Digibus Austria is to research and test methods, technologies and models for the reliable and traffic-safe operation of automated vehicles for local passenger transport as an enabler in a regional, Intermodal mobility system. The results in the areas (1) driving environment and digital infrastructure, (2) driving scenarios and environmental interaction as well as (3) automated mobility system and passenger interaction in driverless operation form the basis for an Austrian Reference model for real-world testing and operation of highly or fully automated vehicles in local public transport. Salzburg Research coordinates a high-calibre partner consortium in which leading companies and research institutes along the entire public transport value chain from the vehicle supplier to the mobility service provider contribute to the results.