The Greater Cambridge Partnership has initiated a trial for an autonomous bus service, known as the Connector project, aimed at enhancing passenger transport in the city. The 15-seater self-driving bus will operate between Madingley Road Park & Ride and areas including the University's Eddington neighborhood and Cambridge West Innovation District.
The initial phase of this trial follows extensive virtual and on-road testing and is set to commence on Tuesday, June 24. The service will run with a limited schedule during mornings and afternoons from Monday to Friday. This free passenger service aims to improve local connectivity by providing better access to workplaces, educational institutions, community centers, and sports facilities.
Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation and Technology at the Greater Cambridge Partnership, remarked: "This is an exciting milestone, but it’s just the beginning. People may have already seen the bus going around Eddington and Cambridge West from Madingley Park & Ride recently... We’re now moving gradually to the next stage of this trial by inviting passengers to use Connector."
He further explained that their goal is to introduce this new technology in phases that prioritize safety while enhancing passenger experience. This approach aims to demonstrate how self-driving vehicles can contribute to sustainable public transport in Cambridge.
The autonomous vehicle technology is provided by Fusion Processing and operated by Whippet Coaches. Professor Anna Philpott from the University of Cambridge commented: "Innovation and research that contributes to society is at the heart of the University’s mission...Cambridge West Innovation District and Eddington are fitting locations for such an ambitious and forward-thinking project."
A broader rollout involving two full-size autonomous buses on another route leading to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus is planned for later this year. The Connector initiative forms part of a national program led by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), supported by the UK Government, which seeks to explore safe integration of autonomous buses into public transport systems.
Throughout all operations, trained safety drivers accompany each vehicle, which have undergone comprehensive digital simulations along with rigorous road testing.
Further details about Connector services can be found through available resources online.