Van Hool used the Busworld Europe show in Belgium (see pages 31-34) to reveal its new Belfast Rapid Transit bus. It is building 30 debut right-hand drive versions of its 18m Exqui.City branded hybrid artics for the city. The first artics will arrive later this year.
The £90m cross-city BRT system, called Glider, starts in September 2018 and is described by the city as a “transformational development.”
Running every 7/8 minutes, the first phase links east and west Belfast, with a northern ‘arm’ serving the Titanic quarter, and uses off-bus ticketing.
The driver has a full-width cab, while the three-door artic carries 105 passengers. There are 50 seats, including six tip-ups and an unusual pair of bar-style ‘perch’ seats in the turntable area.
Two tip-ups each are in separate a dedicated wheelchair bay, accessed via a ramp from the front door, and a buggy bay in the rear section.
Due to the engine arrangement and large wheelboxes, most seats are accessed by a step. Only 10 fixed seats have direct low-floor access.
Equipment includes real time passenger information, audio next stop and destination announcements, CCTV, free Wi-Fi, USB charging and air conditioning.
Work on the project started in May 2014 and a new 520 space Dundonald Park & Ride, in east Belfast has been completed. Priority measures and stop infrastructure is ongoing along the route.
Glider will offer passengers a “modern, efficient public transport service with shorter, more reliable journey times and high frequency services.” It will be operated by state-owned Translink and replaces most route 4 and 10 services.
A new network of feeder services is also being designed.
Says Ciarán de Búrca, Department for Infrastructure Director of Transport Projects: “Glider will increase connectivity across the city and help us to achieve our ambition to increase the use of public transport, walking and cycling, as set out in the Programme for Government.”
Find out more: www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/transport-initiatives/brt
