Amphibious bus could replace Clyde ferry service

The amphibious bus could replace the current ferry service on the route

A bus that can travel on roads and water is to be trialled on the River Clyde next week.

The £700,000 Dutch-made "amfibus" will be tested on the water between Renfrew and Yoker on Monday.

Operator Stagecoach said it could eventually replace the existing ferry service on the route which is to be scrapped from March due to costs.

The vehicle runs like a normal coach on the road but when in water uses a hull to float and is powered by twin jets.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) which operates the 500-year-old Renfrew to Yoker ferry service voted to withdraw it last month as part of wider moves to save £2.5m from next year's budget.

It shows the potential of Scotland's rivers and estuaries to be links rather than barriers to travel Brian Souter Stagecoach

If the trial of the "amfibus" proves successful it would be the first use in the UK of such a vehicle for commuters, as previously the technology has only been used for leisure and excursions.

Stagecoach said it would run by road from Braehead to the Renfrew ferry slipway, cross the Clyde to Yoker and then travel by road to Clydebank.

The amphibious bus can carry up to 50 passengers and reach a speed of eight knots. It will not be open to fare-paying customers during the trial demonstration.

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group chief executive, said: "This is an exciting transport project that would provide a seamless bus connection between two important local 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 company has already carried out tests of the "amfibus" in Rotterdam.