{"id":27266,"date":"2018-09-06T15:47:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T14:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/?p=27266"},"modified":"2018-09-06T15:47:00","modified_gmt":"2018-09-06T14:47:00","slug":"rapid-transit-sprint-bus-route-to-link-solihull-and-birmingham-by-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/index.php\/2018\/09\/06\/rapid-transit-sprint-bus-route-to-link-solihull-and-birmingham-by-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Rapid Transit – Sprint bus route to link Solihull and Birmingham by 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Rapid Transit – sprint bus route will connect Solihull and Birmingham in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Schemes for new tram-style vehicles called Sprint were unveiled by Transport for West Midlands.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The new service will provide fast and consistent journeys along some of the region\u2019s busiest roads. The full network will be completed by 2026 and it is expected to be made up of seven routes, that will run throughout the city. <\/span><\/p>\n

The network will provide important links to Birmingham city centre, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and the HS2 interchange. That will help keep Birmingham connected. <\/span><\/p>\n

Three of the seven sprint routes will be completed by 2022, one of which will run from Solihull town centre.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Transport for West Midlands spokesperson said: \u201cPublic transport in the West Midlands is being transformed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSprint is a brand new, modern, high quality public transport service.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSprint runs on the road, with dedicated bus lanes and priority through areas of congestion, which will make the journey times much more reliable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe vehicles will offer passengers a level of service and comfort similar to a tram, with off-board ticketing, multiple-door boarding, wheelchair and pushchair access, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning as well as on-board audio visual announcements and travel information.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: \u201cSprint will work in tandem with the new suburban rail lines and Metro tram routes we are building, creating a transport network that can grow our economy, give people cleaner air and squeeze the maximum benefit possible from HS2.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Sprint can also help make the Commonwealth Games a success which is why we are accelerating three of the routes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would urge people to have their say on these plans and help showcase our region to the world and shape our future transport system.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The three routes set to be finalised by 2022 are:<\/span><\/p>\n