This is a follow up to my previous article about the Belfast Rapid Transit project in Northern Ireland.
The new Belfast Rapid Transit Glider vehicle has been unveiled today at the Busworld Europe exhibition in Belgium.
The new Glider service will come into operation in September 2018 and is set to transform public transport in Belfast. It will offer passengers a modern, efficient public transport service with shorter, more reliable journey times and high frequency services.
Glider services will operate every 7-8 minutes throughout the working day, linking East Belfast, West Belfast and Titanic Quarter via the city centre. The 18 metre articulated Glider vehicles will use the latest diesel-electric hybrid engine technology delivering a smoother take off from halts, lower noise, reduced vibration and lower emissions. Each Glider vehicle will carry 105 passengers and will feature real time passenger information, audio next stop and destination announcements, CCTV, free Wi-Fi, USB charging facilities and air conditioning.
Ciarán de Búrca, Department for Infrastructure Director of Transport Projects said: “Today we see a very significant step forward for the £90m flagship Belfast Rapid Transit project, with the launch of the Glider vehicle and brand. The new Glider vehicles, which have been specifically designed for Belfast, will start arriving in Belfast later this year. They will provide a new, modern, improved public transport experience for everyone who lives, works, socialises or visits the city.
“The new Glider service will help to meet the future transport needs of our modern, fast growing city. 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. I congratulate Van Hool on this magnificent new vehicle which I know will be a valuable asset to Belfast for many years to come."
The new Glider service will be operated by Translink and Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said: “Glider is the iconic new face of public transport in Belfast, helping to energise the city. Our customers can expect a modern, high-capacity and high-frequency rapid transit service which integrates with our existing bus and rail network. With additional features such as on-board Wi-Fi, USB charging facilities and a new innovative and easy-to-use, off-vehicle ticketing system, Glider will deliver quicker boarding times and offer excellent value for money fares.
“Glider is a transformational development for public transport in Belfast and we look forward to the arrival of the first vehicles in Northern Ireland later this year.”
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister, who helped to formally unveil the Glider vehicle, said: “As part of Belfast City Council’s Belfast Agenda we have committed to work in partnership to progress the transport infrastructure and create a modern and efficient transport system for Belfast. This investment by the Department of Infrastructure will help to ensure that our transport infrastructure will be a catalyst for growth, not a constraint to it; and will increase Belfast’s ability to attract future inward investment.
“Belfast - like all strong and vibrant cities - needs a transport system that is befitting a global city, and I believe the new Glider service will help to deliver that for Belfast and its residents, workers and visitors. The Glider service will encourage more people to opt for public transport which in turn helps to ease congestion and improve air quality, so it’s a win-win situation for business, the economy, the environment and public health.”
More information on BRT and Glider can be found at www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/transport-initiatives/brt and www.translink.co.uk
I do hope TfL considers looking at these bendy buses as the Greater London Assembly proposed reinstating bendy buses for the outer London routes.
Next up....
Network Rail and Crossrail has opened up the new Abbey Wood station building. This took place on Monday 23rd October 2017.
- Striking new station building and concourse, delivered by Network Rail as part of the Crossrail project, has opened to Southeastern passengers
- From December 2018 the Elizabeth line will allow passengers from Abbey Wood to travel right through central London to Paddington
The new station building at Abbey Wood has opened today on schedule. Delivered by Network Rail as part of the Crossrail project, the opening of the striking station building and concourse marks the start of the transformation of transport links for Abbey Wood which will be served by existing Southeastern rail services and the Elizabeth line from December 2018.
Work will continue to complete the station’s full facilities including the commissioning of new lifts to the concourse and installation of systems required for the Elizabeth line. The temporary station at Abbey Wood, opened in 2014 to keep passengers moving while work progressed on the new station building, will be removed and the car park reinstated. The London Borough of Bexley will continue its urban realm improvement works to the front of the new station building. Transport for London has assumed responsibility for Abbey Wood station from Southeastern ahead of the launch of Elizabeth line services next year.
When fully complete passengers will take advantage of the new station’s facilities including:
- Step-free access to every platform with lift access throughout the station
- New bright and spacious ticket hall with ticket machines and customer information office
- Improved connections including new stairs and lifts linking north and south sides of Abbey Wood
- Seating and information screens on the concourse.
Ben Wheeldon, Crossrail Programme Director at Network Rail said: “After 4 years of construction, we are extremely proud of this achievement and the immediate benefits the new station building will bring to the local community. The opening of the new ticket hall and concourse at Abbey Wood is a further milestone for the Crossrail project and a clear demonstration of our Railway Upgrade Plan delivering for passengers. We would like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience while we built this important new station.”
Howard Smith, TfL’s Operations Director for the Elizabeth line, said: “The opening of the new station building at Abbey Wood is an important milestone, bringing us one step closer to the introduction of Elizabeth line services next December. Abbey Wood will be one of ten new Elizabeth line stations, providing passengers with a direct link through central London to new destinations. We look forward to step-free access to the station being completed as soon as possible.”
The Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE said: “The opening of the new station in Abbey Wood is really good news for all of Bexley’s residents and businesses and is an important step forward in our plans to improve transport connections and services in the borough.”
Cllr Denise Hyland, Leader of Royal Borough of Greenwich said: “The opening of the new Abbey Wood station and the planning and thought that has gone into the design is fantastic to see. I have no doubt that travellers using the station will find it a most welcome addition to complement all the other improvements being made here locally. With the new Elizabeth line coming here next year, the new station and this additional transport infrastructure helps make Abbey Wood an even more desirable location for people to want to come and settle in.”
Steve Murphy, Managing Director of MTR Crossrail said: “We are delighted to work with TfL at Abbey Wood station as we look ahead to the launch of the Elizabeth line in December 2018. In addition to this, we are excited to welcome the superb station staff at Abbey Wood to MTR Crossrail.”
From December 2019, when the full route opens, an Elizabeth line service every five minutes will allow passengers to catch one train right through central London to Paddington, Heathrow or Reading in the west.
Also worth adding - TfL has taken over the management of Abbey Wood station before the Crossrail Elizabeth Line launches.
According to Southeastern, it says:
Southeastern train services will continue to serve Abbey Wood as normal but, from Sunday 22 October 2017, the management of the station transfers from Southeastern to Transport for London (TfL).
The transfer on this date will avoid Southeastern being involved in the operation of the new building for just a short period. By managing the station before they begin operating services it also gives TfL the opportunity to prepare the station ready for the arrival of Elizabeth line services.
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