Daventry District Council is currently looking at Group Rapid Transit (GRT) as one of the options that could provide a low-carbon public transport network for Daventry.
GRT uses small automated electric minibuses, which travel on demand. This makes them much more attractive, and energy efficient. GRT systems are also cheaper to run than buses because only one or two staff are needed for six or more vehicles.
A GRT system may be considered to be a hybrid between conventional buses and Personal Rapid Transit, with the following characteristics:
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Automated (driverless) operation.
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On-demand operation, at all (or most) times of day and night, but potentially with timetabled operation during busy periods.
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Multiple pick up and drop off points in one trip.
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Up to around 25 seats per vehicle; vehicles shared by people not purposefully travelling together.
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Dedicated routes.
The key gain for GRT as opposed to conventional buses is the ability to respond to demand, thus eliminating empty running whilst providing a responsive service even off peak – essential to make it an attractive option compared to car use, and to deliver benefits in terms of energy use and CO2 emissions. The automated nature of such systems also reduces operational costs (driver costs typically being around 50% of bus operating costs).
GRT schemes are already in public use elsewhere.
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