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ftr Scheme to Start in York on Monday 8 May 2006
Friday 24 February 2006
Firsts innovative ftr scheme that aims to encourage more people to use public transport is to start in York on Monday 8 May 2006.
The start date was announced at a special event that took place in York this week when First and City of York Council signed the official ftr partnership agreement.
The ftr scheme sees the introduction of state-of-the-art articulated vehicles that look like trams but run on rubber wheels and use normal roads. The ftr route will link the University of York, the city centre, Dringhouses and Acomb.
As part of the partnership, City of York Council is introducing a programme of improvements to traffic lights, bus shelters and bus stops that will make sure the ftr vehicles can move people around the city in comfort and without delay.
The details of this programme were unveiled by Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of FirstGroup plc and Councillor Steve Galloway, Leader of City of York Council, and
A key element of the ftr package is BLISS (Bus Location Information Sub System). Each ftr vehicle is fitted with satellite tracking technology which is linked to a central computer. The computer can tell where the ftr vehicle should be and will give traffic light priority to late-running vehicles. BLISS also gives First an overview of where all the ftr vehicles are at any given time. It drives the new Real Time Passenger Information technology that will give updated information to customers waiting at ftr stops along the route. Customers will also be able to use their mobile telephones to check when the next ftr is due at their stop, again thanks to the BLISS system.
Other improvements that are being made by the council in advance of the ftr scheme going live in May are:
· A new ‘Super Stop outside York Railway Station.
· The introduction of new Cityspace Columns at four points along the ftr route. Each Cityspace column displays real time passenger information, giving information about when the next ftr is due.
· Raising the heights of the kerbs at each ftr stop. The raised kerbs mean that the kerb will then be the same height as the door of the ftr making it easy for everyone to get on and off, especially older and disabled customers and those with young children.
A second phase of improvement works, including additional Cityspace Columns and raised kerbs, will continue through 2006/07.
Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of FirstGroup plc, said: "First is committed to providing high quality public transport networks. The signing of this partnership agreement sets the seal on a project that I firmly believe will introduce a step change in the way that local transport authorities and operators deliver public travel. City of York Council has always demonstrated its commitment to innovation, and there is no better example of this than today's announcement of the infrastructure improvements that will play a vitally important role in the success of ftr in York. Together we really are transforming travel.'
Bill Woolley, director of City Strategy at City of York Council, said: "In York we already have one of the UKs best public transport networks. Working in partnership with First we are striving to further improve the quality and effectiveness of that network. ftr is an exciting innovation that will help us to retain existing passengers and encourage people out of their cars. I am delighted that the UKs first ftr scheme is to be here in York and I am confident that the improvements that we are making to the road infrastructure will ensure that ftr becomes another success for the city.'