Like something from a James Bond film, a space-age vehicle emerges from the River Clyde in Glasgow.  But this bus is not set for the big screen.  The 45-seater is part of the city`s transport vision for the future

"It operates very much like a traditional coach of the road -- it`s got an accelerator and a break and then when the vehicle enters the water there`s an indicator on the dashboard and the driver enters a console that`s on his armrest where he`s got a throttle and that engages the twin jets that power it across the water and out the other side." Stated Steve Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications.

The Dutch-built amphibious bus is on trial as a replacement for a ferry service that has linked the north and south banks of the Clyde for 500 years. But its 120,000 annual users aren`t enough to keep it afloat and local people are divided over seeing it go.

However plans are for the so-called 'Amfibus' to do much more than just cross the river.  Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport explained, "I believe and have believed for quite some time that there is more of a market by providing services up and down the Clyde rather than just across the Clyde and I would be delighted to see traffic like this on the River Clyde penetrate the city centre."

At 700 thousand pounds each, it's not yet clear if the 'Amfibus' will prove the best solution for Glasgow's commuters.

But for now, the concept is certainly catching the eye of locals -- no doubt among them several budding 007's.