The three lead suppliers to help develop the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM) revealed their thoughts on how the project should be delivered.

Dromos Technologies, Egis and Mott MacDonald shared their designs on how the CAM can be delivered.

We now have an idea what the vehicle might look like and how the system could operate.

Dromos Technologies, which develops Autonomous Network Transit (ANT) system for medium to high-capacity urban passenger and freight traffic, is one of those to reveal its plans.

Their aims include providing a system running all-year round and an individual vehicle that offers “generous interior space” with Wi-Fi, all within a total cost of between £1.5-2 billion.

Ely Standard: A network map of what the CAM could look like with potential extensions, including Chatteris, Ramsey and Peterborough.A network map of what the CAM could look like with potential extensions, including Chatteris, Ramsey and Peterborough. (Image: CAPCA)

Chief executive Lars Herold said: “Because vehicles travel non-stop, journey times are short and reliable.

“Vehicles and stops are fully wheelchair accessible, and Dromos offers a comfortable and individualised transport experience accessible to all.

“It offers significant environmental benefits and is carbon neutral at point of use. Simply put, it’s what the future of public transport looks like.”

Ely Standard: Dromos Technologies have released a design of what a stop could look like on the CAM, including multiple bays and cycle storage.Dromos Technologies have released a design of what a stop could look like on the CAM, including multiple bays and cycle storage. (Image: Dromos Technologies/PriestmanGoode)

Ely Standard: Dromos Technologies have released a design of what a vehicle on the CAM could look like.Dromos Technologies have released a design of what a vehicle on the CAM could look like. (Image: Dromos Technologies/PriestmanGoode)

Egis, a major international group specialising in construction, engineering and mobility services, aims to mainly focus on enhancing passenger experience.

Executive vice president Gilles Autuori said: “We offer an alternative solution that we believe to be scalable, cost effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable.

“It places the user experience at the heart of the system.”

Ely Standard: A design of what a CAM vehicle could look like.A design of what a CAM vehicle could look like. (Image: Egis)

Mott MacDonald, a global engineering, management and development consultancy, focuses on providing a “sustainable, accessible mode of transport” to help people access “skilled jobs in manufacturing and maintenance”.

Mayor James Palmer said all give a strong insight into what can be achieved.

Ely Standard: Mott MacDonald's interpretation of a station on the CAM.Mott MacDonald's interpretation of a station on the CAM. (Image: Mott MacDonald)

Ely Standard: How a CAM vehicle could look according to Mott MacDonald.How a CAM vehicle could look according to Mott MacDonald. (Image: Mott MacDonald)

He said: “These designs give us a powerful insight into what can be achieved when you are prepared to challenge convention.

“CAM will offer about 90 miles of high quality, regionwide public transport, and at a potential cost of nearer £2bn, according to some of these designs.

“That, alongside the cost to the economy of failing to act on putting in the right infrastructure, is another reason why the case for CAM is compelling.”

Possible extensions of the CAM to Chatteris, Ramsey and Peterborough will also be worked on in the project's next phase due to start next month, following calls to extend the network.

Speaking of the potential extensions, Mayor Palmer said: "While we are updating the current indicative route map to include potential connections to Chatteris, Ramsey and Peterborough today, this is not the end of the line.

"We need communities and businesses to stand up and make the case for CAM to come to them.

"If there is a demand for more jobs, and new homes for people, underpinned by sustainable infrastructure, then we can work with those places to explore those possibilities."

The CAM, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the UK, is due to be completed by 2029.