Whippet has joined Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP) consortium as the new operator in its Connector autonomous bus trial in Cambridge.
GCP had been seeking the support of an operator since original consortium member Stagecoach East pulled out.
Whippet’s involvement will allow the consortium to finalise operational agreements and processes, including driver training and depot management, as part of track testing.
On-street trials are expected by September, GCP said last month.
An Alexander Dennis Enviro100AEV has already been delivered for the project. Meanwhile, a Mellor Orion E which has already been used by automated drive system supplier Fusion Processing elsewhere will move to Cambridge.
Connector is one of six projects which is part of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) programme. That is backed by combined government and industry funding of ÂŁ84 million.
Other partners in the consortium include dRISK, Fusion Processing Ltd, Gamma Energy and IPG Automotive.
Councillor Elisa Meschini, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board, says: “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.”
Ed Cameron, Director at Whippet, says: “As Cambridgeshire’s oldest bus operator, Whippet are 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 trial will take place in two phases, the first involving an autonomous bus operating from the Madingley Road park-and-ride site, serving the University of Cambridge’s Cambridge West Innovation District and Eddington.
In the second phase, two buses running between Trumpington and Babraham park-and-ride sites, serving the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
