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Leeds is set to be the second UK city to install First Groups futuristic FTR bus/tram hybrid system. Tickets can be sent to your mobile phone and kerbs on the route are raised to help passengers board quickly. The FTR is made under the name Streetcar by Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Wrightbus says the design breaks with tradition and is built as five modules. The roof, floor, sides, front and back of Streetcar are all built separately and joined at the end of the process.
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Bus/tram hybrid systems are getting going despite teething troubles
LEEDS is set to be the second UK city to install First Group's futuristic FTR bus/tram hybrid system.
The deal was being finalised as PE went to press. But Aberdeen-based FirstGroup said: "Leeds is set to be the second scheme by the end of the year following on from the first installation in York in early May."
It is thought that city officials are seeking to use 15 of the vehicles on one of the city's bus routes. Each vehicle costs around £300,000, making a £4.5 million investment. All FTRs are made by Wrightbus in Northern Ireland.
The FFR aims to combine the best parts of buses and trams. Part of the idea is that, like a tram, it works on segregated roadways and gets traffic priority, but there's no need for costly tram tracks. Tickets can be sent to your mobile phone and kerbs on the route are raised to help passengers hoard quickly.
Talks are ongoing with other cities: "Glasgow, Bath, Swansea and Sheffield are possibilities," said FirstGroup. Swansea hopes to have an FTR up and running by 2008.
The FTR is made under the name Streetcar by Wrightbus in Ballymcna, Northern Ireland. Wrightbus says the design breaks with tradition and is built ;us five modules. The roof, floor, sides, front and back of Streetcar are all built separately and joined at the end of the process.
FirstGroup has already bought 39 Streetcars and is rumoured to be interested in taking this up to 100 as new projects come online.
Copyright Professional Engineering Publishing Ltd May 31, 2006