New HS2 driverless people-mover to create national business gateway

High speed rail project HS2 has today revealed plans for a new driverless ‘people-mover’ at the UK Central Hub in the West Midlands.

Working closely with the Urban Growth Company (UGC), HS2 has developed the vehicle, which will be around 20 metres long and run between HS2’s West Midlands interchange and Birmingham Airport in a six minute journey.

Vehicles will depart from each stop approximately every 3 minutes, travelling from Interchange Station, across an elevated viaduct stopping at Birmingham International Railway Station and the NEC, before reaching Birmingham Airport.

The people-mover aims to open up a national gateway to the region, connecting the high speed rail service with key business locations such as Resorts World, The NEC and Birmingham Airport, as well as providing links to the UK’s motorway network.

Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2 Ltd, commented: “HS2 is about connecting the country, and the people mover is another example of how we will do that.

“This entire area in the West Midlands, and the wider regions across the UK will be able to capitalise on the connectivity that Birmingham Interchange Station brings and the people mover is an integral part of this.

“With the airport being only 6 minutes from the station, it means better options for air travellers, and makes it more accessible to even more of the UK.”