Google Cloud Platform (GCP) secures extra funding from CCAV for expanding their Connector project.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has announced plans for the next phase of its Connector project, which will see the expansion of autonomous passenger transport in Cambridge. The upcoming trial will take place at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, building on the successful rollout of self-driving buses in Cambridge West.

The GCP has secured an additional £1m in funding from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) for this project. An Enviro200AV bus, supplied by Alexander Dennis, will be adapted with autonomous vehicle technology provided by Navya. This bus will be tested first on the Bristol Busway before moving to Cambridge.

The aim of the next phase is to improve safety, reduce operational costs, and increase capacity by enabling closer vehicle spacing. The Connector bus has already safely covered hundreds of miles in Cambridge West and Eddington since its launch in June 2025, carrying nearly 200 passengers in real-world trials.

An accessibility and inclusivity study will be conducted for automated bus services to ensure they meet the needs of people with protected characteristics, including disabled people, older residents, and parents with young children. The study aims to make these services more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

The GCP is not only trialling new vehicles but also building an evidence base for a smarter, greener transport system. The organisation's executive board chair, Brian Milnes, has expressed confidence in the work being done to shape the future of transport in Greater Cambridge.

On a separate note, the fourth annual CiTTi Awards will recognise achievements and innovations in connected autonomous vehicles on 25 November 2025. More information about the CiTTi Awards can be found at www.cittiawards.co.uk. The awards will take place at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London.

The next phase of Connector will seek to deliver extended trials with the current AV trials at Cambridge West and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus until at least March 2026. The trials will provide valuable insights into the potential of autonomous systems to provide precision vehicle guidance, contributing to the development of a more efficient, inclusive, and better-connected public transport system in Greater Cambridge.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) secures extra funding from CCAV for expanding their Connector project.