Scottish CAVForth autonomous bus project will not be renewed due to the low number of passengers

CAVForth autonomous bus project is set to end on 14 February 2025 and will not be renewed following its already planned deadline, as passenger numbers have been lower than those aimed, according to UK trade media Route-One. The project, launched in May 2023, was the first in the UK involving full-size buses, namely Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV.

CAVForth project in Scotland, with full-size autonomous buses

Route One quotes Stagecoach East Scotland as saying: “We are proud to have achieved a world-first with this service, demonstrating the potential for self-driving technology on a real-world registered timetable in East Scotland. While this was a trial of cutting-edge technology and a new route linking Ferrytoll with Edinburgh Park, passenger numbers have been too low to continue operating the service beyond the project’s end. We sincerely thank you for your support and custom during this innovative project, it has provided a wealth of learnings that will inform the continued development of autonomous technology in the UK.”

CAVForth project is led by Fusion Processing in cooperation with partners Stagecoach, Transport Scotland, Alexander Dennis, Edinburgh Napier University and Bristol Robotics Laboratory. It is co-funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.

Buses are operates at the highest level of autonomous vehicle technology currently permissible on public roads, SAE Level 4, requiring the buses to retain a safety driver.