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...a city in the
South-West of the UK. Bristol Electric Railbus used this 6 ton
35-passenger tram
to operate
a service for two years covering over 10,000km and carrying some
50,000 fare-paying passengers. The service was withdrawn as part
of a long term project to introduce a full-scale Ultra Light Tram
service to Bristol.
Work is continuing with
local interest groups and the situation remains positive with the City Council,
including the ULR route in its Local Transport Plan.
Provision of Step-free access
enables all users to board and alight with freedom of movement increasing social
inclusion. This is of particular interest in many countries with
ageing population.
The predictable route of
the tram means that pedestrians and trams can safely co-exist.
Power for the tram was
supplied by SWEB and was from 100% renewable sources. |
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PARRY
PEOPLE MOVERS RAILCARS SELECTED FOR WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH LINE
New
operator (Govia) goes for environmentally-friendly lightweight rail at Stourbridge
as part of 'London Midland' franchise.
Parry
People Movers' lightweight rail technology has been selected for
permanent operation on a branch of the national rail network.
The
Department for Transport recently announced that the West Midlands rail
franchise, is to run from November 2007 to September 2015. The
franchise has been awarded
to Govia.
Govia
states that one of the key highlights of the franchise will be the
introduction of Parry People Movers lightweight railcars. These
railcars will operate all
services on the short branch line between Stourbridge Junction and
Stourbridge Town.
The
lightweight rail service is planned for introduction before the end of
2008 and once the two new railcars have been built and tested for public
service use.
An
experimental service using a prototype Parry People Movers railcar
operated by licensed train operator Pre Metro Operations Ltd, ran on this
route between December 2005 and December 2006. With over 4,000 trips
operated in passenger service, reliability and punctuality stood at 99%.
It was calculated that carbon dioxide emissions were cut by 80% compared
to the conventional type of train that currently operates the branch.
Parry
People Movers' chairman, John Parry, said: "This will bring clean,
green and quiet transport to the national rail industry. Experimental
operation last year proved that our technology is right for passengers -
they told us it was as quiet and attractive as electric light rail
systems. We're delighted that Govia and the Department for Transport agree
with us that lightweight, environmentally-friendly vehicles are the right
solution for local branch lines."
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The 100-seater
custom-built British vehicle will link the end of the UK's second
longest Pier with Southport town-centre, passing the Ocean Plaza complex
en route. It has been funded with 250,000 GBP from
Mersey Waterfront, alongside 45,000 GBP from Sefton Council and a further
30,000 GBP from The Pier Trust.
Louise Hopkins, Director
of Mersey Waterfront, said:- "Southport Pier tram is expected
to generate more than £140,000 for the local economy in the next 12
months alone, and will help secure the Pier's future.
The tram is built by UK
Loco
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