By Craig Smith

THE LONG-AWAITED first passenger trials of the cross-Forth hovercraft service are to be run next month.

Stagecoach, the Perth-based transport group, confirmed yesterday that a 130-passenger craft will operate a route between Kirkcaldy and Portobello for two weeks—from Monday, July 16, to Saturday, July 28.

The Forthfast trial, which will cost £300,000 to run, will consist of 22 services a day, 11 in each direction, with convenient peak-time services and integrated bus links expected to help commuters looking to avoid congestion on the Forth road bridge.

The 28-metre vessel, which can travel at up to 35 knots in waves of up to two metres, is also due to cut commuter journey times to just 20 minutes and for the duration of the trial will cost passengers £4.50 for a return ticket.

With travel problems expected over the Forth on road and rail this summer, yesterday’s confirmation of Stagecoach’s project was welcomed on both sides of the estuary.

Councillor Tony Martin, chairman of Fife Council’s environment and transportation committee, said Fife very much supported the trial.

“Anything that reduces the need for car travel is to be welcomed. I am sure everyone will want the trial to be successful,” he said.

City of Edinburgh councillor Phil Wheeler, executive member for transport and chairman of the Forth Estuary Transport Authority, said that the project would echo similar ventures across Europe.

He said, “Millions of people around the world start their working day on a hovercraft or ferry…

“This has the potential to be a popular alternative to car journeys and ease growing pressures on the Forth road bridge.”

The craft will leave Fife at the rear of the Stagecoach depot at the west end of Kirkcaldy Esplanade, with the existing 6, 6A, 7, X59 and X60 bus services ferrying passengers from across Fife to the hovercraft terminal.

Link buses will operate from the Portobello landing point—at the rear of the Lothian Buses depot on the Promenade—to both Leith and Edinburgh city centre.

Shuttle buses will also run from Edinburgh city centre and Leith to the Portobello departure point.

The trial was supposed to be held last year but the project was hampered by delays due to environmental concerns.

However, Scottish Natural Heritage has now approved the pilot project and Stagecoach will be carrying out environmental impact studies, particularly in relation to bird life, during the two-week trial.

The Scottish Executive and SEStran (the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership) have similarly welcomed confirmation the trial is to go ahead.

SEStran chairman Councillor Russell Imrie said, “This trial hovercraft service is an example of the sort of creative thinking needed to provide south-east Scotland with a 21st century transport system—that’s why we are backing it with £92,000 of funding.

“A journey time of 20 minutes, followed by a short bus journey to the centre of Edinburgh, compares well with the time and effort of driving into the city—and doesn’t include the added hassle of searching for parking.”

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group chief executive, said he was also looking forward to the trials finally starting.

“We are delighted that after a huge amount of work, as well as strong support from statutory organisations and the local community, we are now able to get a hovercraft on the water,” he said.

“The Forth estuary is an under-used resource and we are looking forward to giving people a chance to see the benefits this technology could bring to the region’s communities, economy and public transport system.”

About 9000 passengers a week are expected to use the service if Stagecoach can make it commercially viable, with the company estimating that a permanent two-craft operation would cost about £2 million a year to operate.

The first daily service will leave Kirkcaldy at 7.10am, with the last service to Portobello departing at 6pm. Services from Portobello will operate between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

No services will operate on Sunday, July 22.

Full timetable, fares and bus link information is available at www.stagecoachbus.com/fife /forthfast.

Customers can also call 01592 642394 for further information.