Plans for bus-based rapid transit in the Liverpool City Region are being worked on at pace, with integration into a public transport network alongside conventional bus services that are to be franchised and trains viewed as being one of the keys to the project.
That message was among many aired during a showcase of an Irizar ie tram battery-electric articulated bus demonstrator in the city region. Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram had earlier underlined via a LinkedIn post that rapid transit plans are centred on bus rather than light rail.
The left-hand drive vehicle has been evaluated on various routes, with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Executive Director Place Richard McGuckin noting that a rapid transit-based approach will potentially be better suited to some corridors than standard buses.
Mr Rotheram used his manifesto ahead of the May 2024 mayoral election to commit to rolling out a bus rapid transit scheme “similar to the Belfast Glider” to connect Liverpool city centre, John Lennon Airport and the Liverpool FC and Everton FC stadiums by 2028.
Beyond that, the Combined Authority will work over coming months on plans for potential further rapid transit routes. While the articulated approach will suit high-demand corridors, a representative does not rule out use of standard-length buses on others where usage is lower.
“We are at the early stages of looking at rapid transit for the Liverpool City Region and how it can fit within the jigsaw of our Merseyrail services and franchised buses,” Mr McGuckin continues. “Integration is key, and we see rapid transit as part of the overall solution.”
Other elements of the rapid transit planning work include how dedicated road space, stop positioning and spacing and ticketing are delivered.
Prominent in the Combined Authority’s thinking around rapid transit is a ‘wow factor’ in the vehicles used. The Irizar ie tram demonstration follows a similar exercise with a Van Hool Exqui.City from the Belfast Glider fleet in 2024.
The vehicle lent by Irizar e-Mobility has been supported by Irizar UK while in Liverpool. It has 714kWh of battery capacity and a claimed range of 300 miles. The manufacturer notes that it is the first 18.1m example of the ie tram built; previous articulated models have been at 18.7m.
Irizar UK Business Development Manager, e-mobility, Andy Derz has accompanied the trial. The bus was parked and charged at the Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire depot in Gillmoss when not otherwise in use. Mr Derz has thanked that operator for its assistance.
A more detailed look at the Liverpool City Region rapid transit planning work will be published in the August print issue of routeone.
