We have all heard the news of Jo Bamford purchasing Wrightbus, and now a
The FOI release from TfL has revealed details the contract for 20 double deck hydrogen buses hosted on the GOV.UK contract finder website.
The contracts finder revealed the cost for 20 double-deck hydrogen buses at £10.9m and the contract end date is on 03 March 2020.
Looking through the documents from the GOV.UK's Contract Finder page reveals that 20 double-deck hydrogen buses will use a Gemini 3 bodywork.
The documents have revealed the interior of the double-deck hydrogen will be using Metroline's colour scheme.
30mm Smooth tube. Nylon coated crackle finish, colour RAL 1028.
Polished aluminium fittings. Sufficient hand rails to achieve safe movement through vehicle whilst in motion. Additional hand rail required on staircase as per amended LBSL drawings.
Seat type - Esteban. Civic V2 lightweight version, with USB socket
Seat Frame - Esteban, colour blue
Seat fillings Fire retardant foam, standard class 1
I've suggested in my previous article that TfL should have a standard interior colour scheme for the London bus fleet.
Then we go back to the Freedom of Information release which reveals TfL will be owning 20 double deck hydrogen buses in a same arrangement as 1,000 New Routemaster buses.
TfL stated:
Prior to Wrightbus’ administration, we expected bus delivery to start from the first half of 2020. We are seeking discussions with Bamford Bus Company over the business areas it is taking forward and the timescales for these.
We are seeking discussions with the new owners to understand potential impacts.
No let us take a brief look at the recent situation with the double deck hydrogen buses for Aberdeen.
Extracts from Aberdeen Evening Express
Aberdeen City Council had ordered 15 double-decker buses from Northern Irish firm Wrightbus earlier this year at a cost of £7.5 million.
However, in September the company went into administration, putting the vehicles which were due to hit city streets early next year into jeopardy.
The firm was due to deliver 15 of the green machines at £500,000 a vehicle.
A spokeswoman for Wrightbus said: “Following the acquisition of Wrightbus last week, the new owner and management team are now in the process of speaking with all customers and suppliers.
“This will include Aberdeen City Council to agree a best way forward for both parties.
“We hope to have a conclusion in the coming weeks.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman confirmed to the Evening Express the local authority was in “discussion” with the new owners.
In a statement, administrator Deloitte said Bamford is currently determining the size and composition of the workforce required for its future plans.
Mr Bamford will serve as executive chairman of Wrightbus and Buta Atwal will become chief executive.
Mr Atwal said: “Recruitment will begin over the coming weeks.”
I have previously mentioned that Jo Bamford is the owner of a hydrogen manufacturing company called Ryse Hydrogen Ltd, before he purchased Wrightbus from the administrators.
Since Jo Bamford took over Wrightbus last month (mid October 2019), hopefully we will see the new manufacturer start building new buses for Britain, Ireland and many parts of the world.
Despite my criticisms with the Gemini 3 and SRM design by Wrightbus, I can’t confirm or deny if the new Bamford Bus Company will bring in a new double-deck design range for their upcoming zero emission products.
Since the first prototype of the double deck hydrogen was unveiled back in late 2016, the rollout of the vehicles are uncertain as the situation with Wrightbus has drastically changed over the past months as they went to administration, affecting thousands of workers in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
I have no more information about the double deck hydrogen buses for Aberdeen and London. We will have to wait and see what happens when more news is announced.
The rollout for double deck hydrogen buses for Liverpool is unaffected because they are produced by a different manufacturer named Alexander Dennis. As Alexander Dennis is using the 'City' bodywork for the biogas and zero emission EV products, I can't confirm or deny they'll be using the City bodywork for their double deck hydrogen product.
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