The magazine Bus Industry

Amfibussen on the road over the River Clyde. Photo: Carol McCabe Photography.

The British transport giant Stagecoach, who once owned the then Swebus, will now test amfibiebussar to replace ferries.

In the next week plans Stagecoach to deploy a amfibiebuss the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

The bus, Stagecoach named amfibuss, will operate on a line from the area Braehead on one side Clyde at Clydebank on the other side.

Stagecoach head Brian Souter: "An exciting project." Photo: Carol McCabe Photography.

Braehead, which lies just outside the center of Glasgow, have included a giant shopping mall.

The bus will first go to the country from Braehead to the existing ramp adjacent to an existing ferry terminal. It drives the bus into the river, crosses it and runs up through another existing ramp across the river. From there amfibussen land just like a regular bus. No investment in new infrastructure is needed.

The reason that Stagecoach makes the venture, which takes place entirely on a commercial basis, is that the ferry service to be closed because it is too expensive to run. The ferries are old and worn and the local traffic authorities can not afford to replace them.

Amfibussen costs 700 000 pounds, about eight million, and can accommodate 45 passengers. The bus was developed by the Dutch company, Dutch Amphibious Transport Vehicles BV (DATV) in Nijmegen. It is built on a bus chassis, which is supplemented with a hull and approved by the authorities for traffic on both water and road.

On the way it operates as a normal bus. The water is driven by the two water-jets and has a maximum speed of eight knots.

Stagecoach has tested amfibussen port of Rotterdam, where it had no problems with high waves from thin laden barges. The copy of amfibussen as Stagecoach now going to try in Glasgow will later be put into service in Rotterdam for tours with tourists at the port.

- This is an exciting transportation projects that will enable us to provide a connection between two areas on either side of the river, but that passengers need to change, says Stagecoach head Brian Souter.

- They can travel by rail and water, without leaving the comfort of his seat to change between bus and ferry.

- It shows the potential of Scotland's rivers have that link, instead of barriers to travel, says Souter.

Maybe something for cities such as Stockholm or Gothenburg?

What do you think? Please comment below!

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