Coventry City Council is excited to announce that online bookings for a first ride on Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) in the city centre are now open.
This will be the first opportunity for people to experience a ride on the prototype battery powered vehicle and to give feedback on the experience.
Free, bookable rides will be available for four weeks between the end of May and the end of June on the 220-metre demonstration track which was constructed in under 8 weeks.
The vehicle will accommodate up to 17 seated passengers, plus space for a wheelchair or pushchair user during the test rides. Once in full operation the vehicle will hold 56 passengers – seated and standing.
Coventry Very Light Rail is a new and innovative transport system like a tram, but more flexible and affordable, using the city and region's advanced automotive expertise. Battery-powered and with no overhead cables, CVLR will provide an alternative to the car, complementing existing public transport, and helping to improve air quality while reducing congestion.
Councillor Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “I’m really pleased that people now have the chance to get on and take a ride on our new system. It will run on tracks that were laid in just 8 weeks – proving what we said about speed and cost of this system, and it is of course developed and built here thanks to the skills we have in this city in manufacturing.
“Coventry Very Light Rail is just one part of our plans to revolutionise transport in our city, tackle climate change, improve air quality, and provide a new reliable and accessible travel option.
“We will be running Very Light Rail for four weeks, and residents will have the opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind vehicle and track system and provide feedback on the experience.
“I look forward to travelling in our vehicle on our track in our city and I hope lots of people sign up to experience it for themselves too.”
The online booking form for the CVLR city demonstrator can be booked here: www.coventry.gov.uk/VLRRoadTest
The Department for Transport funds Coventry Very Light Rail through the WMCA City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement.