The project to introduce autonomous buses on three of the university city’s routes will continue with Whippet as its new operator partner
Whippet has joined the consortium behind the Cambridge project as the new operator for its Connector autonomous bus trial. Led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), the trial is designed to explore the potential of self-driving bus technology in the city, and aims to provide insights into how autonomous vehicles could enhance public transport options in the future.
The GCP has been working closely with its consortium partners and the Government to appoint Whippet, which replaces Stagecoach as the project’s operator partner.
Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board Councillor Elisa Meschini said: “Autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to transform the way people travel in and around Cambridge. It’s great to have Whippet join the Connector project, and their involvement marks another step forward in bringing this exciting technology to our region. Our focus remains on ensuring these trials are delivered safely and provide meaningful insights into how self-driving buses could support public transport in the future.”
Whippet Director Ed Cameron said: “As Cambridgeshire’s oldest bus operator, Whippet is delighted to be leading the way in supporting the trial of the very latest technology and the role it may play in the future of public transport in the region. We look forward to working with the Greater Cambridge Partnership and other partners in the consortium to deliver the Connector project.” The Connector consortium, led by the GCP, also includes Alexander Dennis, dRISK, Fusion Processing, Gamma Energy and IPG Automotive, and the project is being funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and industry partners.
The trial will take place in two phases, the first of which will see a self-driving bus operating from the city’s Madingley Road park
& ride site, serving the University of Cambridge’s Cambridge West Innovation District and Eddington. Phase Two will introduce two additional autonomous buses running between Trumpington and Babraham park & ride sites, serving the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The buses will operate with a safety driver on board to ensure passenger safety and operational oversight.
