High-speed bus services will provide the next generation of rapid transit in Belfast, transport minister Conor Murphy has said.
West and east Belfast and the Titanic Quarter should be included in the £147 million pilot scheme and construction is to begin in 2011, he added.
Trams, similiar to the Luas in Dublin, would be too large and expensive for the population expected to use the service, but dedicated lanes and halts will be provided for the so-called trams-on-wheels alternative.
Mr Murphy said: “Transportation experts have concluded that the most appropriate system for the city is a modern and high-class bus based system.
“I imagine it as a service offering improved speed, reliability, comfort and access features over conventional public transport.
“It is a service that should be segregated from other traffic as much as possible with new vehicle designs that enhance the journey and reflect Belfast as a 21st century city.”
Over 3,000 passengers are expected to use the buses during the morning rush hour.
Routes under consideration include from Dundonald in the east to the city centre; from the Titanic Quarter to the city centre and on to Queen’s University and the City Hospital and from west Belfast via the Royal Hospital to the centre.
Mr Murphy added: “This is our opportunity to create a new dynamic transportation system for the city, one that helps link people to jobs, hospitals, schools and colleges.
“One that links communities to the city centre and the emerging opportunities in Titanic Quarter.
“A system that can be expanded to other parts of the city in due course, a system that attracts drivers out of their cars as they see the advantages of rapid transit.”
The Sinn Fein minister wants to attract private finance for the scheme and has earmarked £111m of public money.
Light rail is unlikely to be adopted because it would cost significantly more, a total of £590m, and would only deliver around 600 extra users.
However, junctions and infrastructure like bridges will be designed to allow later conversion if numbers merit it.
Kerbs will be used to keep traffic off the route and there will be halts where tickets can be bought while waiting, cutting the time at stops.
There could also be crossings where traffic is stopped to allow the buses through.
The new scheme may involve hybrid buses using electricity, at less cost to the environment.
It is hoped there will be a bus every few minutes at peak times.
Belfast already has a number of bus corridors and park and ride facilities as officials try to encourage public transport.
Findings of the KPMG Atkins consultants’ report are expected to go to consultation.
PA