Autonomous bus trial will carry passengers between Eddington and Cambridge West

Teams from the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Cambridge University with the autonomous bus.

A 15-seater autonomous bus will operate between Madingley Road Park & Ride, and around the University’s Eddington neighbourhood and Cambridge West Innovation District. 

The early phase of the trial, following extensive virtual and on-road testing, starts on Tuesday 24 June with a limited number of morning and afternoon runs each Monday-Friday.

The trial passenger service is free and will enhance local connections, improving access to places of work and study, as well as community and sports facilities for those living and working in the area.

Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation and Technology at the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “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, as, after the extensive on-track training with the drivers, we’ve been running the bus on the road without passengers to learn more about how other road-users interact with the technology. We’re now moving gradually to the next stage of this trial by inviting passengers to use Connector.

“As with all new things, our aim is to introduce this new technology in a phased way that balances the trialling of these new systems with safety and the passenger experience. This will ensure we can learn more about this technology and showcase the potential for self-driving vehicles to support sustainable, reliable public transport across Cambridge.”

Connector begins trial phase

Connector begins trial phase

Video of Connector begins trial phase


The vehicle is operated by Whippet Coaches using autonomous technology from Fusion Processing. 

Professor Anna Philpott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Resources and Operations at the University of Cambridge, said “Innovation and research that contributes to society is at the heart of the University’s mission, and this trial aligns with our vision for sustainable and pioneering transport solutions for everyone travelling to and from our sites. Cambridge West Innovation District and Eddington are fitting locations for such an ambitious and forward-thinking project.”

A full-scale launch of two full-size autonomous buses on a second route to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus will begin later this year.

The Connector trial is part of a national Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) programme backed by the UK Government to explore how autonomous buses can be safely and effectively integrated into public transport systems.

All vehicles are supported by trained safety drivers at all times and have already undergone digital simulation and rigorous on-road testing.

The trial – part of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Connector project – is bringing self-driving passenger transport to the city.

Cambridge West Innovation District and Eddington are fitting locations for such an ambitious and forward-thinking project.
Professor Anna Philpott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Resources and Operations
Teams from the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Cambridge University with the autonomous bus.

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