SMART: MERSEYTRAVEL'S NEW TRANSPORT MODE

The SMART bus demonstration project aims to show how bus travel can provide a high quality attractive form of transport. It is designed to overcome the poor image currently affecting bus travel and demonstrate the positive effects of improving quality and accessibility to travellers and the bus industry. Improved accessibility onto and within the vehicle is one key feature of the project. SMART aims to produce a practical vision of what a high quality bus based transport system can become over a relatively short period of time (implementation of 2 routes planned for 1993/94). The SMART project will combine a number of high quality features together in one integrated product: (a) attractive, distinctively different, new buses; (b) low flat floor design giving accessibility to all; (c) modern bus shelter design including a real time information system for passengers; (d) possible penetration into parts of the pedestrianised central area; (e) guidance systems where required; and (f) bus priority measures where appropriate. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 866258.