Renfrew Ferry replacement set to go on trial in River Clyde

Feb 5 2010

Amfibus

A FUTURISTIC bus-cum-ferry is to be trialled in the River Clyde as a replacement for the soon-to-be-axed Renfrew Ferry.

The bright yellow amfibus - which can travel on road and across water - will be tested from Monday.

It will run by road from Braehead then switch to twin water jets as it runs down the slipway into the river at Renfrew and back onto the road at Yoker.

Stagecoach are testing the s700,000 Dutch-built bus which can carry 50 passengers.

Chief executive Brian Souter said: "This would provide a seamless bus link between two 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."

The Renfrew Ferry is to be discontinued by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport on March 31, after 500 years in service.

Councillors on Strathclyde Partnership for Transport said the service had become far too costly to continue with each fare being subsidised to the cost of s3.