18-metre battery-powered Glider vehicle takes to Liverpool region streets for testing ahead of 2028 roll-out of rapid transport routes to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Liverpool and Everton stadiums. Tony McDonough reports
A second Glider vehicle has taken to the streets of Liverpool city region to be tested ahead of the launch of new rapid transport routes in 2028.
In 2024 Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram first unveiled his plan to use the battery-powered vehicles to operate new routes linking the city centre with Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Liverpool FC Anfield stadium and Everton’s new Hill Dickinson stadium.
He borrowed a vehicle from Translink in Belfast, where they are already in operation, for an initial trial. In June the Government said the Combined Authority would receive £1.6bn for new public transport projects.
This pot of money will be used to fund the purchase of the Glider fleet. This latest test vehicle is on loan from Spanish manufacturer Irizar.
These articulated vehicles can carry around 30% more passengers than an average double decker bus. They look like trams but have wheels and are designed to operate on roads, running in dedicated lanes.
They also have three sets of double doors, allowing people to board and alight much more quickly, reducing the time spent at stops. Since the Glider network began operation in Belfast in 2018 it is estimated it has replaced more than 2.5m car trips.
Testing of this second vehicle will see it travel on key Liverpool city region commuter routes. Although it won’t actually be carrying passengers people will be encouraged to experience the look and feel of the Gliders and provide feedback.
A public drop-in session will be held at 1 Mann Island in the city centre on Wednesday, July 23, from 10am to 4pm.
Mr Rotheram said: “This is a big moment on our journey to build the modern, reliable transport system that our area’s needed for decades.
“When I talk about a ‘London-style’ network, I mean a system that’s joined-up, easy to use, and where you don’t have to think twice about how you’re getting from A to B. That’s the standard people in our region should expect too – not just those in the capital.
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“These gliders are a glimpse of that future – clean, spacious, accessible – and they’ll help people get to work, to training, or to the match, without having to rely on a car.”
Route planning is already underway for Phase 1, with links to the airport and the stadiums prioritised. Over time, the network could be extended to other areas not currently served by the rail network.
“I’ve made a clear commitment to have services running between the city centre, airport and both our football grounds by 2028 – and this trial is another big step towards making that promise a reality,” added the Mayor.