On-Road CAV Bus Trial

The On-road Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Bus Trial will be the first trial of connected and autonomous systems on-board a full-sized, passenger-carrying, zero-emissions bus in NSW.

This trial is a key initiative of the TfNSW CAV Readiness Program. It is a critical step forward for the NSW Government’s ambitious vision of being a world-leading adopter of CAVs and will help to enable CAV readiness across the future NSW bus network.

For more information on the program, please refer to the Connected and Automated Vehicle Readiness Strategy.

Connected and Automated Vehicle technology in buses has the potential to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of our buses, which are important benefits for our customers, bus operators and staff.

Preparing for the roll-out of CAV trials

Our approach to industry engagement aims to invest in local R&D capabilities, leverage global expertise and enable local industry development in NSW to keep pace with emerging technologies.

The trial will focus on identifying and testing the CAV technologies capable of integration onto the NSW bus network in the short and medium term.

Additionally, TfNSW will be providing the trial proponent support in technology testing and assurance measures so that future proofing of vehicles and infrastructure can be understood and planned for as automation systems mature.

Proposal Development Process

Open request for expression of interest 

TfNSW hosted a live online industry briefing in late August 2022 to provide present further information on this RFEOI. The NSW Government opened expressions of interests, calling on industry to collaboratively develop the On-Road CAV Bus Trial.

The RFEOI for this trial was made available through eTender and has now closed.

To support proponents in developing innovative end-to-end project proposals, TfNSW offered opportunities for collaboration through the procurement process in the form of an industry collaboration portal and via interactive sessions.

Industry briefing

TfNSW hosted a live online industry briefing on Tuesday 23 August 2022 to present further information on this RFEOI. 

    Industry Collaboration Portal

    To support industry planning and readiness for on-road CAV buses, industry were invited to connect and engage through the NSW Bus Industry Collaboration Portal.

    Interactive sessions

    TfNSW provided opportunities for RFEOI respondents to discuss their emerging proposals in interactive sessions with a panel of TfNSW stakeholders.

    Interactive sessions were designed to promote collaborative exchange of information to assist Proponents in developing their best project proposals that deliver high quality, collaborative and end-to-end trials.

    For more details, please refer to the Interactive Session Guide (PDF, 129 KB).

    More information

    To find out more information on our CAV and future transport strategies you can refer to the following online sources: