Van Hool glides towards Belfast

摘要

The UK-connected exhibit most diametrically opposed to either the Alexander Dennis Enviro200 or Mellor Strata was on the Van Hool stand, where the family-owned Belgian manufacturer was celebrating its 70th anniversary. This was an 18.61m Exqui.City hybrid bendybus for Translink in Northern Ireland, the first of 30 for the £90million bus rapid transit (BRT) service due to open in Belfast next September. These are the first right-hand-drive examples to be built. Its theatrical unveiling-by Belfast Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister - not only confirmed the tram-like lines of a design Van Hool first showed at Kortrijk in 2011, but also the Glider brand name and purple livery that will set the BRT service apart from other public transport in the city.