The Liverpool City Region recently borrowed one of Translink’s Van Hool ‘Glider’ buses to show how a local BRT service might look
The residents of Liverpool City Region had a ‘sneak peek’ of what a new rapid transport bus service in the region could look like in late August, as part of plans to introduce a new service linking the city of Liverpool with Liverpool John Lennon Airport and its football stadiums which Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has pledged to deliver by 2028.
Wrapped in the ‘Metro’ branding of the Liverpool City Region transport network, the Van Hool articulated vehicle, borrowed from Belfast’s Translink which operates 34 of the type, was showcased outside Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium before being shown off at a number of other locations throughout the area over the following week.
Showing off the specially-liveried Belfast Glider vehicle, the City Region said that similar buses could carry as many as 30% more passengers than an average double-decker bus, with faster boarding and alighting through three sets of doors reducing the time spent at stops.
It is reported that since the Glider network in Belfast began operation in 2018, it has replaced more than 2.5 million car trips whilst cutting journey times by up to 25%, and Liverpool City Region would like to see similar high-quality express services rolled out to other parts of the region currently not served by the rail network.
Mayor Rotheram said: “The Liverpool City Region is a well-established – and growing – magnet for visitors from around the world with our unique mix of music, culture, hospitality and sport.
“Millions of people pass through John Lennon Airport, many of them on their way to Anfield and, in future, to Bramley Moore. But one of the things people always tell me is that they need better links to these important places.
As part of my plans to build a London-style transport system, that is something I am committed to addressing. I was just re-elected on a promise to look at delivering a ‘Glider’ style rapid link that will make getting to the airport and the football much faster, more efficient and, above all, a more pleasant travelling experience.
“This is the first time the Glider will be seen on our streets – but I’ll make sure they’re up and running serving passengers in time for the Euros in 2028. This is not the end of the story either. I remain committed to building the world class transport system our region deserves. Having a glider doesn’t mean that we won’t one day see a tram or rail station at the airport, but is an outstanding solution that will make an immediate difference to getting people around.”
The City Region also points to similar schemes in other cities around the world, including Barcelona, Toronto and Los Angeles, and others planned for Porto in Portugal, and Brisbane in Australia.
During its visit, the vehicle was also tested on key routes in the city region, allowing the Combined Authority see if changes need to be made to accommodate similar buses.
