For Local Authorities
Partner with us to explore
autonomous mobility in your area
The UK’s developing Automated Passenger Services framework creates a route for local authorities and autonomous fleet operators to explore carefully controlled passenger services. Autonomous Mobility UK is seeking early conversations with councils interested in understanding what autonomous transport could mean for their communities.
Why engage early?
Shape future transport
Engage early to influence how autonomous mobility develops in your area, rather than responding to it later.
Economic opportunity
Early-mover authorities could attract investment, create transport-related jobs and become innovation hubs.
Transport integration
Work with us to design services that complement and connect with existing public transport networks.
Build evidence
Controlled pilots generate data to inform future transport planning decisions based on real-world performance.
Potential local benefits
Subject to successful deployment, autonomous passenger services could support a range of local economic and transport outcomes. Intelligent fleet positioning and demand-led dispatch can help improve vehicle utilisation while reducing unnecessary waiting and inefficient fleet movements.
- Employment and skills opportunities
- Tourism and visitor connectivity
- First-and-last-mile rail connections
- Late-night and early-morning mobility
- More efficient fleet utilisation and intelligent dispatch
- Investment and infrastructure development
- Transport integration and modal shift
- Data-led transport planning evidence
Start controlled. Prove performance.
Scale responsibly.
A controlled, phased initial deployment designed around safety, transparency and local partnership.
- 10–30 vehicles
- Defined operating area
- Agreed operating parameters
- Passenger support
- Fleet monitoring
- Charging and depot infrastructure
- Incident procedures
- Performance reporting
- Safety review
- Expansion only after agreed performance thresholds
Every deployment would be developed around local conditions and the applicable regulatory framework. The above represents an illustrative model rather than a predetermined service.
The UK Regulatory Pathway
Preparing within Britain’s emerging autonomous vehicle framework
The UK Government’s developing Automated Passenger Services framework provides a regulatory pathway for approved self-driving passenger services.
Deployment will require the appropriate vehicle, operator and passenger-service approvals, together with engagement and consent from relevant local authorities and transport bodies where required.
Autonomous Mobility UK is developing its operating model around this emerging framework and believes early collaboration between operators, authorities, technology providers and regulators will be essential to successful deployment.
Actual approval requirements will depend on the vehicle platform, service model, location and applicable UK regulation.
How we assess a location
Our assessment framework considers multiple factors to identify locations where autonomous passenger services could be viable and beneficial.
Geography
Road network suitability, topography, and route complexity.
Demand
Passenger demand potential, population density, tourism flows and commuter patterns.
Connectivity
Links to rail stations, bus hubs, employment centres and visitor attractions.
Regulatory readiness
Local authority engagement, licensing frameworks and regulatory environment.
Infrastructure
Charging infrastructure, depot suitability and fleet support facilities.
Safety
Road safety record, pedestrian environment and operational risk assessment.
How we manage safety
Safety is the foundation of every aspect of our approach. Any deployment would operate within strictly defined operational parameters, with continuous monitoring, clear incident procedures, and regular safety reporting to the relevant local authority.
Vehicles would only be deployed once they have passed all required regulatory approvals. Operating zones, speed limits and passenger capacity would be agreed in advance with local authorities and relevant regulatory bodies.
How we work with existing transport
Autonomous mobility services should complement existing public transport, not replace it. We would work with local authorities and transport operators to ensure services are designed to connect with rail, bus and other public transport networks.
First-and-last-mile connectivity — helping passengers travel between stations, bus stops and their final destinations — is a core part of our vision for how autonomous services could add value to existing transport infrastructure.
What happens next?
We welcome exploratory conversations with any UK local authority interested in understanding what autonomous passenger services could mean for their area. There is no commitment at this stage — only an opportunity to explore possibilities.
An initial conversation would typically cover your local transport priorities, potential areas of interest, and how a controlled pilot could be structured. We provide all information without obligation.
Request an Exploratory Discussion
Complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.