Our Concept
Our water bus network concept was first developed to support our unsuccessful bid to the UK Department for Transport's Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) programme, to conduct a feasibility study into a regular timetabled water bus network connecting the Firth of Clyde into the centre of Glasgow. This was a UK-wide fund, with around 40 awards available and a large number of applicants, so we always knew it would be a long-shot.
We have decided to publish our concept to support crowd research and community advocacy. The research project will be expanded in due course through open collaboration. In the meantime please do get in touch and let us know how a service like this could benefit your community.
The concept is based on the Princes Dock Canting Basin behind Pacific Quay in Glasgow functioning as a depot and central service hub. Fast hydrofoils would connect to the outer Firth of Clyde, while slower, low air draft boats (similar to those operating in cities like Paris and Amsterdam) would be able to navigate under the bridges in Glasgow even at high tide.
Our concept is not an exact route proposal, and significant stakeholder engagement and market research is needed to establish a viable case for services. Our vision is a way to create more travel interconnections to the Clyde coast, while harnessing the potential of an underutilised transport artery.
Green Line
The Green Line concept connects central areas of Glasgow's urban waterfront between the City of Glasgow College Riverside Campus in the Gorbals (also serving Glasgow Green / Merchant City area) and the Riverside Museum, with multiple stopping points in between.
Yellow Line
The Yellow Line concept runs from below Central Station to Braehead and Yoker, with multiple stopping points in between, connecting key locations on the city's waterfront.
Blue Line
Based on a fast hydrofoil service, the Blue Line concept connects Pacific Quay in Glasgow to Gourock and Helensburgh. Connection locations to the other lines are at Braehead and Greenock.
Red Line
Based on a fast hydrofoil service, the Red Line concept is a summer-only service connecting Pacfic Quay to Greenock, Dunoon, Rothesay, Largs, and Brodick.