Gatwick Fastway (Fantasy?)

Phase one of Gatwick Fastway, the £32m hi-tech guided bus scheme for
Crawley, Horley and Gatwick was apparently officially opened on Monday
1 September 2003.

Described as the 'faster, smarter way to travel', Fastway was
specially designed to speed past traffic congestion hotspots and
benefits from the latest intelligent transport systems (ITS)
technology.

The Phase One services operated between Bewbush in Crawley and Gatwick
North Terminal, 7 days a week, up to 20 hours a day. Adult fares on all
buses operated by Metrobus in the Crawley area, including Fastway, were
70p for a short hop or £1.10 for a longer journey. For further details
about Fastway services, contact 01293 449191. For general information,
contact 0800 3898 146.

Fastway vehicles travel along dedicated bus lanes and specially
constructed 'guideways'; purpose-built tracks formed of two
concrete running strips with raised kerbs on either side, which prevent
use by unauthorised traffic and provide an effective means for buses to
bypass traffic queues, without causing delay to other traffic. A
guidewheel mounted on the steering mechanism of the bus runs along the
face of the kerb, guiding the bus on its journey and resulting in a
smoother, faster ride.

The distinctive silver and blue vehicle livery makes the buses
'smart' [**] and easily recognisable and was developed in
consultation with local people.

The bus features dual doors; comfortable individual seating; full
wheelchair access and space inside for wheelchairs and pushchairs; CCTV
for passenger safety and driver awareness; and Real Time Passenger
Information. The Scania Ominicity vehicle selected by Metrobus for the
Fastway fleet was chosen following consultation with potential users
including commuters, schoolchildren and passengers with disabilities.

Fastway is the first service of its kind in the South East, the first
outside a major city, the first to serve a major international airport,
and the first to be developed by a number of local authorities working
with private-sector partners.

British Airways sees Fastway as a key contributor to achieving the
objectives, set in its Company Travel Plan, of addressing issues of
congestion and air quality through reducing dependence on the private
car generally and drive-alone commuting in particular. Fastway will
offer staff and passengers seeking to access Gatwick, from the areas it
serves, a very real and convenient alternative to the car.

Britsh Airways is part of the public-private partnership which has
developed the service. The other parners are West Sussex County
Council, Surrey County Council, Crawley Borough Council, Reigate &
Banstead Borough Council, BAA Gatwick, and Metrobus, the bus operating
subsidiary of public transport group Go-Ahead.

[** Hmm - excuse me - but what make a bus 'smart' if its painted silver
and blue. I've heard of smart computers etc., but not smart buses.
Perhaps they automatically kneel to help you get on board? And perhaps
they wish you a happy Christmas (or whatever) at holiday time. I wonder
if anyone has experienced a trip on this service. Are guided buses
successful? But then aren't all buses 'guided' being steered by a human
driver? Reminds me of the similar sounding pioneering 'busway' that
used to serve the Millemium White Elephant - those buses were steered
by human drivers too. So much for automation.]