Stagecoach set to trial amphibious bus on River Clyde

Published on Thursday 4 February 2010 10:22

STAGECOACH is set to trial an amphibious bus on the River Clyde as a replacement for the soon to be defunct Renfrew Ferry.

• The 'amfibus' pictured during trials in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The transport group will hold a two-day trial of the state-of-the-art vehicle, which can travel on road and water, at the Renfrew ferry slip-way on Monday 8 February.

Based on a bus chassis, the 'amfibus' uses a hull that allows the vehicle to float.

The 700,000 Dutch-made vehicle can carry up to 50 passengers and has already been trialled by Stagecoach in Rotterdam.

Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT)announced last month that the 500-year-old ferry service between Renfrew and Yoker would be axed at the end of March due to costs.

Stagecoach said today that it hopes to use the infrastructure of the Renfrew Ferry to provide a new bus route along and over the Clyde.

The "amfibus" would run by road from Braehead to the Renfrew ferry slipway, cross the Clyde to Yoker and then travel on by road to Clydebank.

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said: "This is an exciting transport project that would provide a seamless bus connection between two important local communities.

"Passengers can use the amfibus to travel over road and water without having to leave the comfort of their seat to change from a bus to a ferry. It shows the potential of Scotland's rivers and estuaries to be links rather than barriers to travel and we are looking forward to testing the technology on the Clyde."