Translink (Bedfordshire)

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The Translink proposal is a proposal to construct a guided busway between Houghton Regis and Luton via Dunstable, in Bedfordshire.

The scheme has met with a lot of opposition, on the basis that people would prefer to have the Luton-Dunstable rail line (the route of which Translink would follow) re-opened as a heavy rail shuttle, a modern light railway, or a Thameslink network extension to or through Dunstable (Thameslink, the former train operator on the Kings Cross to Luton route, stated they had no interest in operating this), or simply improved bus services across a broader area. In 2006 First Capital Connect became the newly franchised operator of the Thameslink network and time will reveal its views on the heavy rail possibility.

The light rail idea might have a number of advantages over a bus or heavy rail network, including the potential for smooth and fairly fast travel and the ability to share the existing road network. Guided busways are seen as lacking the high capacity, comfort and environmental benefits of heavy or light rail vehicles, but there are several schemes that could demonstrate a narrowing of the perceived gap between low floor single decked buses and a modern tramcar. Trains are in many ways a superior mode of transport to buses, and they are also significantly safer. If the route does not match local demands however, it can be difficult and expensive to modify.

[edit] External links

• official site
• railfuture site, includes a number of articles on Luton-Dunstable rail reopening ideas and Translink