The first timetabled autonomous bus trial has arrived in Cambridge as part of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Connector project, marking the beginning of self-driving passenger transport in the city.

The 15-seater autonomous bus will operate between Madingley Road Park & Ride, and around the University of Cambridge’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 to 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 people 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.”

To mark the beginning of the testing, a new video has been released showing the Connector bus completing route-mapping and training runs along a loop around Cambridge West: www.youtube.com/c/greatercambridgepartnership/videos

The vehicle featured 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.

Find out more about Connector and check the timetable to see when you can take a ride on the bus www.greatercambridge.co.uk/connector