The Runcorn Busway is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Runcorn, England. Opened in 1971, it was the first BRT system in the world.[1]
| Runcorn Busway | |
|---|---|
.jpg) An elevated section of the Busway at Runcorn Shopping City in 2008 | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | Halton Borough Council |
| Area served | Runcorn |
| Transit type | Bus rapid transit |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | October 1971 |
| Technical | |
| System length | 22 km (14 mi) |
History
editFirst conceived in the Runcorn New Town Masterplan in 1966, it opened for services in October 1971 and all 22 kilometres (14 mi) were operational by 1980.[1] It was the first BRT system in the world.[2] Arthur Ling, Runcorn Development Corporation's Master Planner, said that he had invented the concept while sketching on the back of an envelope.[3] The town was designed around the transport system, with most residents no more than five minutes walking distance, or 500 yards (460 m), from the Busway.[4]
The central station is at Runcorn Shopping City where buses arrive on dedicated raised busways to two enclosed stations.[5]
Technical details
editThe Busway has a design speed of 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) and a maximum gradient of 4 percent (or 6 percent for distances under 200 m).[6] Bus stops are at intervals of approximately 400 metres (1,300 ft).[6]
Gallery
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References
edit- ^ a b "Runcorn New Town - 7.3 Transport". rudi.net. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ^ Lesley, Lewis (1983). "Runcorn - A Rapid Transit New Town?". Built Environment. 9 (3/4): 234. JSTOR 23286723.
- ^ Crabtree, Gordon (6 August 1971). "Runcorn Busway creates worldwide interest". Commercial Motor. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ Ling, Arthur (1967). Runcorn New Town Master Plan (PDF). Runcorn Development Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ Couch, Chris; Fowles, Steven (2006). "Britain: Runcorn — A Tale of Two Centres". Built Environment. 32 (1): 88–102. doi:10.2148/benv.32.1.88. JSTOR 23289488.
- ^ a b "RUNCORN, UNITED KINGDOM - BRIEF: RUNCORN BUSWAY" (PDF). Retrieved 21 August 2024.