New rapid transit Glider for Belfast unveiled

The public has had its first glimpse of a new high-tech bus that will soon be gliding around the streets of Belfast.

The new Belfast Rapid Transit Glider vehicle was unveiled recently at the Busworld Europe exhibition in Belgium.

The new Glider service will come into operation in September next year 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 seven or eight 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, DfI director of transport projects, says the unveiling is a very significant step forward for the £90m Belfast Rapid Transit project:

“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,” he adds.