Barclay Davies shares his thoughts on MOVE 2026 which brings together global decision makers shaping the future of mobility
We are increasingly seeing trials of autonomous vehicles in the UK, the latest being in Suffolk where residents of Mildenhall had the chance to see how they work in linking the village with nearby Lowestoft. This got me reflecting on how, during Covid, many services failed to operate – not due to vehicle failure, but to the lack of drivers, with many moving into HGV driving.
Interestingly, the Suffolk trial found that public reception was overwhelmingly positive. Graeme Mateer, Head of Transport Strategy at Suffolk Council said in the April 2026 edition of Focus magazine: “People can really see the benefit – if you’re getting around a small town, taxis aren’t always available and it can be too far to walk. They understand the case for it.”
So could autonomous bus services be the answer where services are no longer viable but are still socially necessary?
The autonomous vehicles stage at MOVE 2026 hosted an interesting discussion exploring how safety, oversight and accessibility can be integrated into bus services operated by autonomous vehicles. As one of a number of panellists, our discussion developed beyond technology and into broader questions about cities, people, governance, and the uncomfortable truth that autonomy will only deliver public value if we design for it, collectively and collaboratively, with passengers’ needs in mind.
During the discussion, I reflected that autonomous buses are not a novelty: they have the potential to become a lifeline in communities across the UK where traditional bus services are increasingly no longer viable. Autonomous buses could keep those places connected, but only if the conditions are right.
Funding, regulation and public trust are essential, of course. But so too is the co-production of these services in order to ensure their success. Passengers do not just need to be safe – they need to feel safe. Disabled users need to know someone is accountable, someone is listening, and someone is designing with them, not for them.
The earliest possible involvement of users will be essential in giving people a sense of ownership of the services they rely on. Because in an automated future, trust will need to be earned.
Find out more about MOVE 2026