Amfibus

The Amfibus is an amphibious bus which was considered as a replacement for the Renfrew Ferry across the River Clyde.

Amfibus
Overview
ManufacturerDutch Amphibious Transport Vehicles BV, Nijmegen
Production2009 – present (1 produced)
Body and chassis
ClassAmphibious
Body styleBus
Layout55 seats
Powertrain
EngineVolvo DH12E 6 cylinder
Dimensions
Wheelbase6.8 m
Length13.80 m
Width2.55 m
Height3.8 m
Kerb weight22.000 kg

Renfrew Ferry

When SPT ceased to operate the Renfrew Ferry on 31 March 2010, one option for replacement was the Amfibus, capable of both driving on the road and sailing across the river.[1] The Amfibus had previously been trialled by Splashtours in Rotterdam Harbour, where it successfully coped with the wash from tugs and cargo ships. Trials on the Clyde took place on 8 and 9 February 2010. It was not without problems as one of the bus' airbags worked loose.[2] The Amfibus was not selected to continue the service.[3] However, in July 2011 a similar vehicle started a tourist cruise service running direct from Schiphol airport to the Amsterdam canals.[4]

The contract to run the Renfrew Ferry was awarded to Silvers Marine, of Rosneath, who took over the running of the ferry from 1 April 2010 using fast boats.[5]

Design

The Amfibus is based on a Volvo chassis[2] and made by Dutch Amphibious Transport Vehicles BV, Nijmegen, Gelderland.[6] Each Amfibus costs £700,000.[1]

Propulsion in the water is by water jets.[7] The Amfibus is capable of 60 mph (97 km/h) on land and 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) on water.[8]

Service

Stagecoach proposed operating the Amfibus on a route between Braehead and Clydebank, entering and leaving the Clyde via existing slipways at Renfrew and Yoker.[7]

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See also

References
  1. "Renfrew Ferry replacement set to go on trial in River Clyde". The Glaswegian. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  2. "Waterbus back after trial glitch". BBC News. 9 February 2010. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  3. "Small boat chosen to take over Renfrew ferry service". BBC News. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Nicholl, Vivienne (20 March 2010). "Renfrew Ferry service saved as new operator takes helm". The Herald. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  6. Cameron, Greig (5 February 2010). "Stagecoach to trial bus service on River Clyde". Business 7. Archived from the original on 9 March 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  7. Carrell, Severin (8 February 2010). "Maiden voyage of Scotland's water bus ends with a sinking feeling". London: The Guardian. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  8. "Dutch Amfibious Transport Vehicles" (PDF). Retrieved 15 March 2010.
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