Runcorn Busway

The Runcorn Busway is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Runcorn, England. Opened in 1971, it was the first BRT system in the world.

First conceived in the Runcorn New Town Masterplan in 1966, it opened for services in October 1971 and all 22 kilometres (14 mi) were operational by 1980. It was the first BRT system in the world. Arthur Ling, Runcorn Development Corporation's Master Planner, said that he had invented the concept while sketching on the back of an envelope. The town was designed around the transport system, with most residents no more than five minutes walking distance, or 500 yards (460 m), from the Busway.

The central station is at Runcorn Shopping City where buses arrive on dedicated raised busways to two enclosed stations.

The Busway has a design speed of 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) and a maximum gradient of 4 percent (or 6 percent for distances under 200 m). Bus stops are at intervals of approximately 400 metres (1,300 ft).

The Busway station for Runcorn East railway station

Elevated section of the Busway at Runcorn Shopping City

A Busway junction with a general traffic road

An Arriva bus in east Runcorn

• 1974 Canadian documentary film about Runcorn New Town
• 1971 BBC Archive video on the Runcorn Busway
• 1979 BBC film, Where We Live Now