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FirstGroup is investing in future technology, including the emerging field of autonomous vehicles. These developments have the potential to significantly enhance the industry’s existing services, while increasing ridership, by providing access to public transport for an even wider range of passengers.
We believe that autonomous, on-demand, technology presents an opportunity to cut congestion, improve safety and increase mobility. By contributing to its development, we can solve what is known as the ‘first and last mile challenge’; the means by which people connect from their front door to public transport hubs.
Since 2017, FirstGroup has been involved in autonomous vehicles in the United States through our former First Transit division. In California, First Transit has an exclusive agreement with the GoMentum Station testing centre, where we carry out industry-leading research and development. Our trials have demonstrated the performance of the vehicles in winter conditions and we are deploying the country’s first commercially-operated, shared autonomous vehicle on public roads. First Transit shuttles are also playing an active role in the leisure industry, transporting sports fans at Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers, and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
In the UK, FirstGroup is set to lead the very first trial of autonomous vehicles on UK roads. As the lead partner in the MultiCAV consortium, we are undertaking a project to offer long-term, safe, sustainable transport options for visitors to Milton Park; a large, high-tech business and science hub near Didcot, Oxfordshire.