A linear polishing apparatus for polishing a semiconductor substrate including a novel polishing belt arrangement with at least two polishing belts forming a continuous loop. Each belt having an outside polishing surface and an inside smooth surface. The belts are spaced alongside each other sharing a common axis at each end. The belts are looped around a pair of rollers making up a driver roller at one end and a driven roller at the other end. A platen member interposes each belt and is placed between the pairs of rollers. The platen provides a polishing plane and supporting surface for the polishing belts. The polishing plane includes a plurality of holes communicating with an elongated plenum chamber underlying the plane. The chamber supplies a compressed gas to impart an upward pressure against the polishing belts. The driver rollers are coupled to separate motors to independently drive and control at least said two of the polishing belts.