| Runcorn Busway | |
| Owner: | Halton Borough Council |
| Area Served: | Runcorn |
| Transit Type: | Bus rapid transit |
| Stops: | --> |
| Key People: | --> |
| Began Operation: | October 1971 |
| System Length: | 22km (14miles) |
The Runcorn Busway is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Runcorn, England. Opened in 1971, it was the first BRT system in the world.[1]
First conceived in the Runcorn New Town Masterplan in 1966, it opened for services in October 1971 and all 22km (14miles) were operational by 1980. It was the first BRT system in the world.[2] Arthur Ling, Runcorn Development Corporation's Master Planner, said that he had invented the concept while sketching on the back of an envelope.[3] The town was designed around the transport system, with most residents no more than five minutes walking distance, or 500yard, from the Busway.[4]
The central station is at Runcorn Shopping City where buses arrive on dedicated raised busways to two enclosed stations.[5]
The Busway has a design speed of 40mph and a maximum gradient of 4 percent (or 6 percent for distances under 200 m).[6] Bus stops are at intervals of approximately 400m (1,300feet).