Transport of the Future.(FTR) in York

x568wcn · Post by **x568wcn** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:34 pm

For the past week here in York as some of you may well know, we have had the trasport of the future...The FTR (text for Future) or Streetcar, they are Huge, but have only one seat more than a standard bendy bus, but these are different!
These with standing are capable of carrying 100 people.
They cost only £300,000 a peice...and we have 11 (12)
They have a 6 speed auto gearbox, and really do take off at high speed. When you stand like I did for part of my play on it, at one take off I was stood wrong, and slightly slipped in to the person stood infront!
They are a bit longer and higher than a standard bendy bus, but the higher is due to the radiator for the engine being in the roof, not in the back corner taking up space.
To get round corners, some have been cut, bus stops have been lengthened much to the disscruntlment of residents!

York is the First place in the country to have them in service, but unlike a standard bus where you pay the driver, you have to either buy a few tickets in advance and scan it as you get on, or buy it on you phone and bring the picture of the ticket up and scan it. and you can pay with the correct change of £1.50 single or £2.50 return..if they get the ticketing working again...it's been free all week!
They are a very smooth ride.

see my pics of (not yet all of) them at http://www.trucks.me.uk/york-buses/index.asp

York is the first in the world to get them, although a tester has done other Cities including York..Leeds is next, and the USA and Canada are looking at them too!

Mark T

Colombo · Post by **Colombo** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:48 am

Mark,

It would be interesting to know who makes them.

Colombo

Post by **richard** » Wed May 17, 2006 12:58 pm

I wonder how often they'd run aground? We have some bumpy bad streets here in the US. I can also think of a few level crossings which would probably ground it!

Richard

x568wcn · Post by **x568wcn** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:35 pm

They are Volvos on the standard bendy bus chassis with a Wright body on top, but I don't know anymore than that as yet, they aren't on the fleet list http://www.westyorkshirebuses.freeserve ... rgflfy.htm

or the whole site @ http://www.westyorkshirebuses.freeserve.co.uk/

I forgot to mention their website http://www.goftr.com

they go over several speed bumps on their route, and even clear the ECML, (if only over a bridge!)