Amfibus
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Amfibus
| image = Splashtour 'Amfibus' amphibious bus, An der Untertrave, Lübeck, 12 August 2020.jpg
| caption = Splashtour Amfibus in Lübeck, 2020
| manufacturer = Dutch Amphibious Transport (DAT) Vehicles BV, Nijmegen
| aka =
| production = 2009 – present (2 or more)
| model_years =
| assembly =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| class = Amphibious
| body_style = Bus
| layout = 55 seats
| platform =
| engine = Volvo DH12E 6 cylinder
| transmission =
| wheelbase = 6.8 m
| length = 13.80 m
| width = 2.55 m
| height = 3.8 m
| weight = 22.000 kg
| related =
| designer =
| sp = uk
}}
The Amfibus is an amphibious bus, developed and built by DAT (Dutch Amphibious Transport) Vehicles B.V., in Nijmegen, Netherlands, which was considered as a replacement for the Renfrew Ferry across the River Clyde.
Renfrew Ferry
When SPT ceased to operate the Renfrew Ferry on 31 March 2010, one option for replacement was the Amfibus, capable of both driving on the road and sailing across the river.{{cite web|url=http://www.theglaswegian.co.uk/glasgow-news/news/2010/02/05/renfrew-ferry-replacement-set-to-go-on-trial-in-river-clyde-102692-22020964/ |title=Renfrew Ferry replacement set to go on trial in River Clyde |publisher=The Glaswegian |date=5 February 2010 |accessdate=8 February 2010}} The Amfibus had previously been trialled by Splashtours in Rotterdam Harbour, where it successfully coped with the wash from tugs and cargo ships. Trials on the Clyde took place on 8 and 9 February 2010. It was not without problems as one of the bus' airbags worked loose. The Amfibus was not selected to continue the service.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8576210.stm| title=Small boat chosen to take over Renfrew ferry service| publisher=BBC News| accessdate=5 June 2010 | date=19 March 2010}} However, in July 2011 a similar vehicle started a tourist cruise service running direct from Schiphol airport to the Amsterdam canals.{{Cite web |url=http://www.floatingdutchman.nl/ |title=Floating Dutchman |access-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408040423/http://www.floatingdutchman.nl/ |archive-date=8 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}
The contract to run the Renfrew Ferry was awarded to Silvers Marine, of Rosneath, who took over the running of the ferry from 1 April 2010 using fast boats.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/renfrew-ferry-service-saved-as-new-operator-takes-helm-1.1014695 |title=Renfrew Ferry service saved as new operator takes helm |first=Vivienne |last=Nicholl |publisher=The Herald |date=20 March 2010 |accessdate=5 June 2010}}
Service
Design
The Amfibus is based on a Volvo chassis{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8505770.stm |title=Waterbus back after trial glitch |publisher=BBC News| date=9 February 2010 |access-date=10 February 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100212070737/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8505770.stm| archive-date= 12 February 2010 | url-status= live}} and made by Dutch Amphibious Transport (DAT) Vehicles BV, Nijmegen, Gelderland.{{cite web |url=http://www.business7.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/02/05/stagecoach-to-trial-bus-service-on-river-clyde-97298-22019942/ |title=Stagecoach to trial bus service on River Clyde |first=Greig |last=Cameron |publisher=Business 7 |date=5 February 2010 |access-date=8 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309084229/http://www.business7.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/02/05/stagecoach-to-trial-bus-service-on-river-clyde-97298-22019942/ |archive-date=9 March 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} An Amfibus cost £700,000 in 2010.
Propulsion in the water is by water jets.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/feb/08/water-bus-clyde-scotland-river |title=Maiden voyage of Scotland's water bus ends with a sinking feeling |work=The Guardian |access-date=8 February 2010 | location=London | first=Severin | last=Carrell | date=8 February 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100211122349/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/08/water-bus-clyde-scotland-river| archive-date= 11 February 2010 | url-status= live}} The Amfibus is capable of {{convert|60|mph|abbr=on}} on land and {{convert|6.5|kn}} on water.{{cite web| url=http://www.datbv.com/sites/default/files/upload//DATbv_brochure_engels.pdf| title=Dutch Amfibious Transport Vehicles| publisher=| accessdate=15 March 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
File:Splashtours_I_(ship,_2009)_003.jpg|Impellers for in the water are built into the rear
File:Splashtours_I_(ship,_2009)_004.jpg|Amfibus Splashtours 1 side and rear view
File:Splashtours 2010.jpg|In the water in Rotterdam, 2010
See also
{{Portal|Buses}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20190730074430/http://datbv.com/ Dutch Amfibious Transport Vehicles BV website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083114/http://www.datbv.com/factsheet010.pdf Technical specifications 010 (archived)]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305084948/http://www.datbv.com/factsheet020.pdf Technical specifications 020 (archived)]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100614081055/http://www.everydayadventuring.info/2010/03/03/amphibus-test/ Review of the Rotterdam Amfibus tours]
Category:Wheeled amphibious vehicles