Google Cloud Platform Secures More Funding from CCAV for Connector Project Expansion

The Connector project, a collaborative initiative between the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), is set to continue its trials of autonomous bus services until at least March 2026. Since its launch in June 2025, the Connector bus has safely covered over 700 miles and carried nearly 200 passengers in real-world trials across Cambridge West.

The trials aim to gather evidence for a smarter, greener transport system that benefits everyone. An accessibility and inclusivity study will be conducted for the automated bus services, ensuring that the services meet the needs of people with protected characteristics, including disabled people, older residents, and parents with young children.

The project will explore how autonomous technology can support operations on both the existing guided busway and the three new busways being delivered through the GCP program. Testing for precision vehicle guidance will be conducted to improve the efficiency and flexibility of busway operations.

In the upcoming trial at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, 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 trials will also investigate how autonomous technology can make public transport more inclusive.

The next phase of Connector will expand on the successful rollout of self-driving passenger transport in Cambridge West. The aim is to improve safety, reduce operational costs, and increase capacity by enabling closer vehicle spacing.

Securing an additional £1m in funding for the Connector project is a significant endorsement of the organisation's work, according to the Chair of the GCP's executive board, Brian Milnes. The funding will be used to further develop and test the autonomous bus services, contributing to a greener and more accessible transport system in the region.

The CiTTi Awards, an event recognizing achievements and innovations in connected autonomous vehicles, will take place on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. The Connector project is expected to be among the contenders for recognition in this prestigious event.

As the Connector project continues, it will undoubtedly pave the way for a future where autonomous bus services become a common sight on the streets of Cambridge, contributing to a greener, safer, and more inclusive transport system for all.

Google Cloud Platform Secures More Funding from CCAV for Connector Project Expansion