The Automated Vehicles in Public Transport: Are We Nearly There Yet? stakeholder event, held at the NEC in June, showcased recent progress in Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) learning and reaffirmed Solihull’s position as a leader in AV innovation.
Hosted as part of the pioneering Solihull & Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE) project, the event brought together key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to experience, discuss, and debate the future of autonomous transport in public transport.
Attendees, including representatives from Transport for West Midlands, Zenzic, Ohmio, bus operator First Group, Liftango, Motability, and legal firm Shoosmiths, engaged in candid discussions on the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating CAM technology into the UK’s transport network. A highlight of the event was the real-world demonstration of SCALE’s three-shuttle CAM system, offering attendees a firsthand experience of fully autonomous, electric shuttles navigating the internationally renowned NEC campus.
The event coincided with a major national announcement that a fresh series of advance self-driving vehicle pilots are set to begin in England from spring 2026. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that the government will fast-track autonomous commercial pilots, allowing small-scale ‘taxi- and bus-like’ services without safety drivers to be booked via an app—marking a critical step towards the UK’s full adoption of autonomous mobility when the Automated Vehicles Act becomes law in 2027.
In opening remarks, Cllr Ian Courts, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council & Lead Member for Managed Growth, emphasised Solihull’s leading role in this emerging sector, reflecting on the Council’s status as the first Local Authority in the UK to purchase an AV shuttle and its role leading one of only six current DfT-funded Pathfinder projects. The event featured insightful presentations from CCAV, Zenzic, NEC, TfWM, and other industry leaders, underscoring the UK’s preparedness for widespread AV integration.
The panel discussion, titled ‘CAM in Public Transport – Are We Nearly There Yet?’, explored key barriers to mainstream adoption, including policy, infrastructure, safety considerations, and commercial viability. With anticipation building for forthcoming AV Act secondary legislation, attendees gained valuable insights into the next steps required to unlock the full potential of CAM services.
Reflecting on the event, Mark Cracknell, Programme Director (CAM) at Zenzic, said:
“The SCALE project is a fantastic example of some of the cutting-edge, world-leading transport and technology solutions being developed and deployed right here in the UK.
“Seeing the shuttles in action today was a proud moment for everyone involved in the project and is a reminder of how important it is that government, industry, and academia continue collaborating if we are to ensure the nation remains at the heart of the global CAM ecosystem.”
Claire Spooner, Director of Mobility at Innovate UK, praised the SCALE initiative, stating:
“This project exemplifies the UK’s commitment to pioneering autonomous transport solutions. SCALE is setting a new benchmark for real-world CAM deployment, and its success will undoubtedly shape the future of mobility.”
Alongside expert discussions, the event fostered collaboration between Local Authorities, transport providers, academia, and industry partners, reinforcing the importance of a multi-sector approach to developing sustainable and scalable CAM solutions.
With SCALE’s ambitious pilot continuing to link Birmingham International rail station, the NEC, and Birmingham Business Park, Solihull remains at the forefront of defining the future of autonomous transport and is well-positioned to support the government’s fast-tracked deployment of commercial self-driving pilots in 2026.
Article originally posted here.