Fastrack to European innovation accolade for UK’s bus rapid transit

Kent’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system Fastrack, operated by Arriva Southern Counties in partnership with Kent County Council, has been recognised for outstanding innovation by the International Transport Forum (ITF) and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).

Fastrack’s 26-strong fleet provides transport for more than 38,000 passengers a week in Kent Thameside, largely on dedicated busways. Since its launch in 2006, Fastrack has exceeded expectations, setting standards for BRT in the UK and gaining widespread admiration from transport professionals across Europe.

Judged against more than 25 public transport schemes from around the world, Fastrack scooped second place at this year’s prestigious ITF / UITP international awards, announced yesterday (27 May).

The judges specifically noted the commitment to improving public transport shown by entrants and expressed the great difficulty in making their final decision. Fastrack’s entry, jointly submitted by Arriva and Kent County Council, was just edged out by the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid, Spain. Fastrack shares the runner-up spot with India’s Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd for their development and management of BRT.

David Martin, chief executive of Arriva, said: “Fastrack is a great example of where local authorities and commercial transport operators work in partnership to make a difference for the travelling public. This is a fitting reward for all the work put in by both our partners at Kent Thameside and Arriva’s people, who have shared a vision and created a truly world class bus rapid transit system.

“These worldwide awards have been especially pleasing for Arriva as we are also one of the key partners in the winning entry. Our De Blas business in Madrid is part of the joint venture which operates the largest of the interchanges for the Consorcio de Madrid.”

The ITF / UITP accolade is the latest of numerous awards for Fastrack’s infrastructure, innovation and partnership, which underpin the aim of changing the perceptions of bus travel and providing a long-term solution to meet local transport needs within Kent Thameside, a major UK growth area.

Collecting the award at the annual international transport conference held in Leipzig, Germany, David George, Kent County Council’s Fastrack project manager, said: “It is astounding that Fastrack’s innovation should be recognised in such exalted company. Our fellow prize winner and the overall winner of the award are from big cities with huge resources and for Kent’s Fastrack to have caught the judges’ eyes really underlines how bold and innovative it is and how successfully it has been implemented.”