Residents say 'absolutely great' as they try new coventry very light rail

Residents who tried the new Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR) said the pioneering transport system was 'absolutely great.' People were given the opportunity to hop aboard the

prototype vehicle yesterday (May 30). Coventry VLR is an 'innovative' transport project led by Coventry City Council. It consists of a battery-powered vehicle and turning system

that can be installed within existing city roads, Cllr Jim O'Boyle said. It is currently being trialled in the city centre with a 220m track installed on Queen Victoria Road and

Greyfriars Road. Cllr O'Boyle previously said he hopes VLR will be expanded across Coventry. READ MORE: BUCKS COVENTRY CLOSING FOR GOOD IN JUST DAYS AFTER 'INCREDIBLE JOURNEY'

Funding for the project has been provided by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership. It is projected to cost around

£189m. Bookings to try the new VLR system opened on May 1. People from across the city jumped on board the prototype vehicle yesterday (May 30). It was driven by father-son duo Graham and

Joe Dibbins, from West Midlands-based firm RailAdventure UK. One person who tried VLR on Friday said it was 'the best thing Coventry could ever wish for.' He said: “It was so

smooth, so quiet and so fast! It will get people from A to B in no time, and I think it is the best thing Coventry could ever wish for. It is fantastic.” A second said: “I thought it was

absolutely great! I particularly liked the fact that it is something that has been pioneered and worked on in the Midlands. I just hope it does not take too long before systems like this can

be installed and actually running, and I look forward to Coventry being the first.” Another was asked how they found travelling on the VLR and said he was 'extremely impressed.'

He added: “It was a lovely ride, very smooth, light, airy carriages and very quiet.” Councillor Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City

Council, said he was 'really pleased' by the new VLR. He said: “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.” SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER HERE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT COVENTRY.