By Bruce Fegen

A new way of crossing the Firth of Forth between Fife and Edinburgh got off the ground yesterday when Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson officially launched the trial of Stagecoach’s hovercraft service.

The 28-metre BHT 130 craft, which normally plies its trade between Southsea and the Isle of Wight and can run at up to 35 knots in 6ft waves, carries 130 passengers and will make the crossing in around 20 minutes.

Mr Stevenson was among the guests on the first crossing. In near perfect conditions, it only took 15 minutes.

He told The Courier, “I think it’s absolutely terrific. It goes from the heart of Kirkcaldy to down-town Edinburgh, and crossing at this speed will make it very attractive to people.

“I hope they will support it, because it gives us another option to get people out of their cars and on to public transport.

He called the trial “innovative” and said the Scottish Executive would consider helping fund the service in its early years if it gets the go-ahead.

“We will have to see what the numbers are, and I look forward to seeing that analysis in due course. I am particularly encouraged by Brian Souter’s view that the service could be self-financing in about three years,” added Mr Stevenson, referring to the Stagecoach Group chief executive.

The trial, costing £300,000 and part-funded by SEStran (the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership), runs from Monday to July 28, from £4.50 return.

A total of 22 services a day—11 in each direction—will operate hourly, with peak-time services and integrated bus links to accommodate commuters looking to avoid congestion on the Forth Road Bridge. The trial will cover part of the period of the Forth Rail Bridge closure for maintenance later this month.

Brian Souter was equally happy at the success of the first trip across the Forth.

“Public transport has clear environmental benefits over the car and we are very excited by the potential of the hovercraft service.

“It can help shorten journey times for commuters and we also believe it will appeal to leisure travellers based in Scotland and tourists visiting from overseas,” he said.

Tony Martin, chairman of Fife Council’s environment and transportation committee, said, “If the service does become permanent and we are asked to contribute, then we have to look closely at the business case, but I am sure it’s something we would look at sympathetically.

“I do think people will use this service and, if so, the public sector should be prepared to underwrite it in the early stages.”

To prepare for the trial, temporary landing facilities have been put in place on the beachheads at Kirkcaldy and Portobello.