The new phase builds on the successful rollout of self-driving passenger transport in Cambridge West and the upcoming trial at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Since its launch in June 2025, Connector has covered over 700 miles and carried nearly 200 passengers in real-world trials across Cambridge West.

The new investment will extend the current trials while exploring how autonomous technology can be integrated into existing and future busway infrastructure. It also includes important research to ensure that automated transport is accessible and inclusive for all users.

Cllr Brian Milnes, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board, said: “Securing this additional funding is a major vote of confidence in the work we’re doing to shape the future of transport in Greater Cambridge. Since Connector launched, the bus has covered hundreds of miles safely taking people around Cambridge West and Eddington. This is a great start and we have learnt so much about how passengers engage with autonomous technology and how it can fit into the transport system in our city.

“This funding will help us explore how cutting-edge technology can make our public transport network more efficient, more inclusive, and better connected. We’re not just trialling new vehicles, we’re building the evidence base for a smarter, greener transport system that works for everyone. From extending trials to exploring how automation can support our busways, this is about delivering real benefits for our communities today and laying the groundwork for tomorrow.”

The next phase of Connector will deliver three key enhancements:

1. Extended the current trials meaning the current AV trials at Cambridge West and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus will continue until at least March 2026, allowing more people to experience the service and generating vital data to support future commercial deployment.

1. Explore how autonomous technology can support operations on both the existing guided busway and the three new busways being delivered through the GCP programme. This includes testing the potential for autonomous systems like Fusion Processing’s CAVStar, which is being used in the Connector project to provide precision vehicle guidance, replacing the need for traditional guidewheels and improving the efficiency and flexibility of busway operations. An Enviro200AV bus, supplied by Alexander Dennis, will be adapted with this technology and tested first on the Bristol Busway before moving to Cambridge. The aim is to improve safety, reduce operational costs, and increase capacity by enabling closer vehicle spacing.

1. Undertake an accessibility and inclusivity study to ensure that automated bus services meet the needs of people with protected characteristics and are usable for everyone, including disabled people, older residents, and parents with young children.

GCP’s Connector project are part of CCAV’s CAM Pathfinder Programme, funded by UK Government, which is helping to position the UK as a leader in self-driving transport. The total funding from the project is now £7.8m of which £5.3m is a Government Grant which includes the additional £1m.

The CAM Pathfinder Programme, as part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy and the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, is delivered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, a joint unit between the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Transport (DfT) in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.

For more information on the current Connector service and the wider project, visit: www.greatercambridge.org.uk/connector