A NEW commuter hovercraft service is being tested on the River Clyde.
A NEW commuter hovercraft service is being tested on the River Clyde.
A company wants to launch regular services by using the river to link the city with Greenock, Dunoon and Rothesay.
The three-day trial got under way this morning to allow Clydeport's harbourmaster to assess the impact hovercrafts would have on other river users.
Clydefast is using 12-passenger hovercraft for the tests but a permanent service would carry up to 130 passengers.
It would make two round trips each day between the SECC pontoon in Glasgow with stops at Braehead, the East India Harbour at Greenock and Dunoon.
Chief executive Alistair Macleod said: "We are very excited about the test and indebted to Glasgow City Council, Riverside Inverclyde and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport for making the trial possible.
"It will hopefully demonstrate the potential for a permanent hovercraft operation to be brought to the Clyde."
He said trips between Dunoon and Glasgow would take less than an hour - faster than trains or ferrys.
SPT chief executive Ron Culley said: "Development of the Clyde as an additional transport channel helps its ongoing regeneration.
"By encouraging varied and fun ways to travel along the River, we can continue to make Glasgow a vibrant location for people to visit."
