Belfast Glider Rapid Transit Vehicle at Connswater

I'm down at Connswater Shopping Centre in East Belfast to check out the new, sleek, futuristic looking, Belfast Glider Rapid Transport Vehicle. This Connswater 'Meet and Greet', is one of many roadshows being staged around Belfast to introduce Glider to the Belfast public.-
( As part of Translinks' ongoing programme of Glider engagement, they are hosting a range of public events across Belfast over the coming weeks,- Spring/Summer 2018, to give the public a chance to experience the new service and see a Glider vehicle for themselves. )
'The introduction of the Glider marks a new modern more efficient mode of public travel for Belfast. It is set to further enhance the image of the city and inspire even more people to choose public transport.
Glider….the new, effortless and smooth way to travel. Glide through city traffic and arrive fresh and ready on a modern and high tech mode of travel, providing direct cross-city services between the east and the west of the City and linking into Titanic Quarter. Metro bus feeder services will connect Glider passengers to the Dundonald and Colin residential areas
Representing an investment of over £90m, Glider will deliver a high quality, high capacity, bus-based rapid transit system that makes way for a transformational change and a more connected City, bringing people and communities together.
'Key Glider Facts
The services will operate with a new, modern eco-hybrid fleet. Catering for more passengers than conventional buses, passengers will also enjoy a new ticketing system which will speed up getting on and off the vehicle. Extensive bus priority will also be in place along the route facilitating fast and reliable journeys. Metro bus feeder services will connect Glider passengers to residential areas in the Dundonald and Colin areas.
• In passenger service from September 2018
• 7-8 minute intervals throughout most of the day
• 25% reduction in public transport journey times
• Unified fares with Metro with a focus on ease of use and great value
• Operates primarily along bus lanes with selective bus priority at traffic signals
• CCTV for safety and security
• Real-time passenger information.'
' Glider will provide fast and reliable services connecting East and West Belfast, Titanic Quarter and key locations of economic and social activity in the city centre and along the Glider corridors.
The Vehicle
With a capacity of around 105 people, the vehicle interiors will be constructed using high quality materials and the engines will utilise the latest hybrid diesel/electric technologies emitting low noise, low vibration and low levels of pollutants.
Passenger Priority
Glider passengers are set to benefit from extensive bus lanes along the routes. Where appropriate, Glider services will also get priority at traffic signals making way for fast and reliable services.
Glider vehicles will have onboard information screens providing real time journey information and audio visual next halt and destination announcements. Free on-board Wi-Fi will also be provided.
The Glider will replace most of the main Metro services on the routes that it serves: Metro 4 in East Belfast and Metro 10 in West Belfast. Some Metro services, which serve destinations off the Glider routes, will continue to use parts of the Glider routes and therefore benefit from the increased bus priority.
When Glider comes into operation Metro bus feeder services will be provided with appropriate interchange facilities and co-ordinated timetables. The interchange facilities will be provided at Dundonald Park & Ride in the east and at Colin Town Centre Transport Hub in the west.'
Gliders are built for Belfast by Van Hool in Belgium. This prefered company is a highly regarded independent Belgian manufacturer of buses, coaches and industrial vehicles. Van Hool has supplied Exqui.City vehicles to public transport systems across Europe including Barcelona, Luxembourg, Malmo, Bergen and Metz. This order for the Exqui.City is Van Hool’s first in the UK and Ireland and the first time they have supplied a right-hand drive vehicle.
I was well impressed by this amazing Glider vehicle and the modern roadside bus shelters installed to service it. If the Belfast Glider lives up to its' name I believe it will immediately become a real asset to the new and vibrant Belfast we all wish to see. Well done Translink.