Whippet believed to be first independent to trial autonomous buses

Whippet is to operate autonomous buses as part of a trial. The operator believes it is the first independent operator to trial such vehicles.

Whippet has joined the consortium as the new operator for the Connector autonomous bus trial. It follows Stagecoach’s withdrawal from the project earlier this year.

The pilot scheme, led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), is designed to explore the potential of self-driving bus technology in Cambridge. It will see an autonomous Mellor Orion electric minibus and two Alexander Dennis Enviro100EVs being tested on the roads.

The Connector consortium, led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, also includes Alexander Dennis Ltd, dRISK, Fusion Processing Ltd, Gamma Energy and IPG Automotive. The project is funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and industry partners.

The trial will take place in two phases:

• Phase One will see a self-driving bus operating from the Madingley Road Park & Ride site, serving the University of Cambridge’s Cambridge West Innovation District and Eddington.
• Phase Two will introduce two additional autonomous buses running between Trumpington and Babraham Park & Ride sites, serving the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

All autonomous buses will operate with a safety driver onboard for the duration of the trials to ensure passenger safety and operational oversight.

Ed Cameron, Director at Whippet, expects the vehicles to be out on the roads in June for a period until the autumn, with options to continue it.

“As Cambridgeshire’s oldest bus operator, Whippet are delighted to be leading the way in supporting the trial of the very latest technology” – Ed Cameron, Director at Whippet

Ed Cameron said: “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.”

“Autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to transform the way people travel in and around Cambridge” – Cllr Elisa Meschini, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board

Cllr Elisa Meschini, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board, said: “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.”

The Connector project is part of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) programme.