Four news items today in one article on the progress of the zero-emission bus rollout within the British Isles.
Two major cities in the Island of Ireland now have bus services served with double-deck hydrogen fuel cell buses; one in Belfast and now also in Dublin.
From National Transport Authority
The National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann has today unveiled three new hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric double-deck buses that will initially be used on commuter services in the Greater Dublin Area.
The three vehicles were recently purchased by the NTA and will go into service next week on Bus Éireann’s route 105X, which runs between Dublin and Ratoath, County Meath.
The buses will be subject to in-service evaluation as part of an alternative fuels technology pilot being undertaken by the NTA in collaboration with Bus Éireann.
The buses being unveiled today represent an investment by the state, of approximately €2.4m. The bus model in question – the Wrightbus Streetdeck H2 FCEV – is manufactured by Bamford Bus Company, and assembled at their factory in Galgorm, on the outskirts of Ballymena in Northern Ireland.
The Wrightbus Streetdeck H2 FCEV is the world’s first hydrogen double-deck bus.
Each bus can accommodate up to 79 passengers within its overall length of 11.5 metres.
Accessibility is a priority in the design of the new buses, which feature:
• Priority seats upholstered in distinctive, high contrast moquette
• A large permanent wheelchair space
• A separate, dedicated buggy space
• Wider access passages
• A powered wheelchair ramp at the front doorway
• An additional passenger information display within the wheelchair space
• High definition exterior destination displays
• The high visibility yellow, green and white Transport For Ireland livery
Hydrogen for the buses will initially be supplied by BOC Gases Ireland, with refueling being effected at its Bluebell facility on the Naas Road in Dublin.
New #Hydrogen buses start service on Route 105X today between Dublin, Ratoath & Fairyhouse
— Bus Éireann (@Buseireann) July 19, 2021
Services depart Fairyhouse at 6:55, 7:10 & 7:25 returning from Merrion Row in Dublin at 16:53 (16:40 from Belfield) 17:15 & 17:45#DrivingChange #Sustainability @TFIupdates @Dept_Transport pic.twitter.com/hlwkSo4q7M
The National Transport Authority (NTA) and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) have today signed a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 200 zero emission battery-electric buses. An initial order for 45 buses commencing delivery in 2022 was also agreed.
The framework agreement will run for up to five years and covers the delivery of single deck long length battery-electric buses. The first 45 buses are expected to operate services in Athlone and the Dublin Metropolitan Area.
The dual door variant of the Enviro200EV for the NTA has 27 seats and capacity for more than 75 passengers. The interior of the bus has been configured to maximise passenger flow and accessibility, and incorporates both a wheelchair space and a dedicated area for the accommodation of at least one unfolded pram/pushchairs/buggy.
The Enviro200EV is a product of the partnership between ADL and BYD Company Limited, whereby the latter supplies the chassis of the bus (including the traction battery pack and powertrain), for completion by the former.
The bus produces no emissions and offers reduced interior and exterior noise levels compared to a diesel-only bus. This will not only result in cleaner air and less noise pollution in areas where the buses are operating but will also provide a quieter journey for passengers.
The contract is part of the Government’s commitment to lower carbon emissions in transport as laid out in the 2019 Climate Action Plan as well as the 2020 Programme for Government. The latter commits to a significant decarbonising of Ireland’s public transport fleet and requires that all new urban buses be electric hybrid or electric.
ADL was selected as the successful tenderer following a comprehensive and rigorous procurement process.
North of the border, Transport Scotland has launched a new scheme for bus operators in Scotland to obtain funding for new zero-emission buses.
From Transport Scotland
The Scottish Government has launched the first £50 million phase of a new Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB).
The Fund replaces previous funding streams and is designed to encourage the market to agree and implement new and innovative ways to finance zero emission buses.
Building on the success of the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme, ScotZEB will now support Scotland’s green recovery, providing immediate economic stimulus and supporting the Scottish Government’s bold ambitions to decarbonise the bus fleet.
ScotZEB was unveiled by Transport Minister Graeme Dey at the Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce, which brings together senior leaders from the energy, bus and finance sectors to co-design a pathway to a fully decarbonised bus fleet. Mr Dey said:
“To accelerate progress towards a zero emission bus fleet, we committed to convene a meeting of the Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce within our first 100 days.
“The Scottish Government has come to the table with an evolved offer for zero emission bus funding – building on the experience of previous schemes and designed in a way that maximises opportunities to attract sustainable financing and encourage innovative ways of doing so.
“£50 million is available in 2021 to help drive a green recovery, responding to the global climate emergency and to improve air quality. I’m excited to see results from the ScotZEB Challenge Fund and expect to offer a larger pot of funding in 2022 once it demonstrates its success.”
Bus Renewals and Enhancements – Planned Delivery
5.13 The Future Bus project, which is a set of measures to improve bus passenger experience, will also start, including provision of additional bus shelters and improved real-time information. The initial year of this project will trial different interventions on a specific bus route to promote the return of bus passengers to the network following the coronavirus pandemic, as well as helping arrest the long-term decline in bus patronage that was occurring prior to the pandemic. Subject to the evaluation of this initial year, this is anticipated to lead to further passenger-facing enhancements in future years.
The paper also revealed the Future Bus trial is going to launch on route 63, presumably later this year, or next year, as a new contract has been awarded to Abellio London with 26 new electric double-deckers – with a planned start date on 13 November 2021. The estimated final cost (EFC) for the project is expected to be £16 million.
A few months ago I mentioned that LOTS Bus News had reported Abellio has purchased (or leased) 29 BYD-ADL Enviro400EV City buses, expected to be used for route 63 as part of the contract to use new double-deck electric buses.
The new Future Bus project from TfL is very interesting and hopefully we’ll see more information about the new project in due course.
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