Midlands Engine

HS2 reveals design for driverless people mover in Birmingham

Designs for a new automated people mover in the West Midlands have been released by HS2.

The driverless vehicle plans to be used to transport passenger between HS2’s new Interchange Station in Solihull and Birmingham Airport.

When in full operation, the people mover will be able to carry over 2,000 passengers per hour, with the average journey time just six minutes.

Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2 Ltd, said: “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.

“The high speed connection into Interchange Station opens up the UK Central Hub, the NEC, Birmingham International station and Birmingham Airport to new business and leisure customers who might not have chosen this area previously.

“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.”

The approximately 20 metre long people mover vehicles will depart from each stop approximately every 3 minutes.

They will pick up passengers from Interchange Station, and then travel across an elevated viaduct stopping at Birmingham International Railway Station, the National Exhibition Centre, before reaching Birmingham Airport.

The viaduct will be 12 metres off the ground at its highest point, and the 3 stops will be fully accessible.