16/07/2007 05:23:37
The two-week trial of a new hovercraft crossing of the Firth of Forth has got underway.
During the trial, a 130-seat craft is making 11 return journeys a day between landing points in Kirkaldy and Portobello, from where a bus link takes passengers to Edinburgh city centre.
Stagecoach, which is operating the Forthfast trial with support from the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran), estimates that around 470,000 passengers a year would use the craft if it entered full-time service.
“A journey time of 20 minutes, followed by a short bus journey to the centre of Edinburgh, compares well with the time and effort of driving into the city” said SEStran chair, Councillor Russell Imrie.
“If the trial proves a success, the service could offer an additional travel option to commuters between Fife and Edinburgh that is fast, cheap and reliable. It will also contribute towards meeting SEStran’s objectives of reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions in the region.”
According to BBC News, a two-metre swell can turn the journey into something of a rollercoaster ride, but this morning’s passengers seemed enthusiastic. Ten-year old Connor Clark from Glenrothes said: “It was good and the waves are big and I've never been on one before and I didn't think it would be like this.”
