Cambridge’s driverless bus trial has received an additional £1 million in government funding to extend its operations and expand research into accessibility.

The 15-seater automated bus service, launched in June, has so far carried nearly 200 passengers on free rides.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), which is running the project, said the new funding from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles will keep the trial running until at least March next year.

Brian Milnes, chair of GCP’s executive board, said the aim was to “make our public transport network more efficient, more inclusive, and better connected”.

“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,” he added.

“We’re not just trialling new vehicles, we’re building the evidence base for a smarter, greener transport system that works for everyone.”

The service, known as the “Connector,” runs from Madingley Road Park & Ride around the University of Cambridge’s Eddington neighbourhood and into the Cambridge West Innovation District.

It currently operates four 18‑minute loops each weekday morning and afternoon and, according to the GCP, the vehicles have already covered more than 700 miles.

Plans are also underway to test self‑driving passenger transport at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, one of the region’s busiest sites.

The new funding will additionally support an accessibility and inclusivity study to assess the needs of disabled passengers, older residents and parents with young children.

The project forms part of the government’s Connected and Autonomous Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder Programme. Of its £7.8 million cost so far, £5.3 million has come from government grants, including the latest £1 million.