13/07/2007

• Motorists using Forth Road Bridge urged to switch to public transport option
• Travel by Kirkcaldy to Portobello hovercraft can help cut carbon emissions

Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson today (13 July 2007) officially launched Stagecoach’s innovative trial cross-Forth hovercraft service.

Motorists using the Forth Road Bridge are being urged to test the new fast public transport option running between Kirkcaldy and Portobello in Edinburgh when the 130-passenger hovercraft enters service next week.

Statistics show that around 70% of cars crossing the bridge have only one occupant and motorists could cut their carbon emissions by switching to the hovercraft.

Stewart Stevenson said: “This is an innovative trial which has the potential to change the way people travel between Fife and Edinburgh. If we are to tackle congestion on Scotland’s roads and encourage people out of their cars, we must give people a wide range of public transport choices.

“This trial gives people that added choice. I hope as many people as possible take advantage of the hovercraft service and make this trial a success.”

Stagecoach is undertaking a two-week trial, part-funded by SEStran (the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership). It will run from Monday 16 July to Saturday 28 July, offering a fast 20-minute crossing time using a 28-metre BHT130 hovercraft, incorporating the latest diesel engine technology.

A total of 22 services a day – 11 in each direction - will operate on the route, with convenient peak-time services and integrated bus links to accommodate commuters looking to avoid congestion on the Forth Road Bridge.

The £300,000 trial will cover part of the period of the Forth Bridge closure, giving commuters a further public transport alternative to the train in addition to existing regular bus services.

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said: “Public transport has clear environmental benefits over the car and we are very excited by the potential of the hovercraft service. The hovercraft can help shorten journey times for commuters and we also believe it will appeal to leisure travelers based in Scotland and tourists visiting from overseas.

“We have had huge support from statutory organisations and the local community for the service and we will be working closely with a range of partners to study the results of the trial in due course.”

SEStran Chair Councilor Russell Imrie said: “SEStran is supporting this trail with £92,000 of funding because we believe the service can make a useful contribution towards our objectives of cutting single occupancy car journeys and reducing pollution.

“The hovercraft service can take 130 passengers on each trip. That’s 130 people out of their cars and on to public transport. It’s also a far more enjoyable way to start the day; a 20 minute voyage across the Forth, followed by a fast bus into the city centre, or a drive in heavy traffic into town, followed by the hunt for a parking space. I know which I would choose.”

To prepare for the trial, temporary landing facilities have been put in place on the beachheads at Kirkcaldy and Portobello. A special plastic landing surface, security fencing and screens have been constructed at the sites, and further work will be carried out at the end of the trial to restore the beachheads to their original condition.

Scottish Natural Heritage has approved the pilot project and Stagecoach will be carrying out ongoing environmental impact studies, particularly in relation to bird life, Fife and City of Edinburgh Councils have also given support to the project.

Stagecoach estimates that running a two-craft operation would cost around £2million a year. Around 9,000 passengers a week - and up to 470,000 passengers a year – are estimated would use the service. While the service would require initial public investment, Stagecoach believes that within a few years passenger volumes could grow to make it commercially sustainable.

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Note to Editors:
Full timetable, fares and bus link information is available on the web at www.stagecoachbus.com/fife/forthfast. Customers can also call 01592 642394 for further information.