West Midlands Pioneers National Framework for Self-Driving Public Transport

The West Midlands has taken a major step toward making self-driving public transport a reality on UK roads, thanks to groundbreaking work led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Solihull Council.

Their newly developed Automated Public Transport Service (APTS) Specification sets out, for the first time, a comprehensive framework to help local authorities confidently commission and deliver automated transport systems that bring lasting public benefits.

The 53-page document provides a detailed roadmap for how autonomous technology can enhance public transport — improving safety, cutting emissions, and reducing operating costs while maintaining or even increasing ridership. By lowering costs, operators could reinvest savings to boost service frequency, expand networks, and improve comfort and reliability.

The specification also highlights how automation could unlock new routes that are currently unviable, such as those with lower passenger demand or requiring late-night operation — helping make public transport more accessible to all communities.

Colin Maltby, Senior Project Manager for Future Mobility at the UK Central Economy and Infrastructure Directorate, said:

“By establishing a shared specification early in the evolution of Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM), we can help local authorities avoid the expense of developing separate, fragmented frameworks.Our goal is a ‘commission once, adapt for many’ approach — saving time and money while speeding up the safe deployment of automated services.”

Mark Cracknell, Programme Director at Zenzic, the UK government–industry partnership driving CAM innovation, added:

“Connected and Automated Mobility will transform how people move.The APTS specification provides exactly the kind of coordinated approach needed between public bodies and industry to ensure these technologies deliver real, inclusive benefits for passengers.”

Covering areas such as service design, operational responsibilities, incident response, fare structures, accessibility, safety, and infrastructure requirements, the specification gives tendering authorities a clear structure for developing local projects without prescribing specific technologies.

It has now been released for review by local authorities and transport organisations ahead of its formal publication later this year.