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| Drawings of the Wrightbus StreetDeck Hydroliner |
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| High-spec Alexander Dennis-BYD Enviro400EV City on Route 63 |
First of all, this article is not intended to criticise bus manufacturers, their products, Transport for London (TfL) or bus operators.
The purpose of the article is to review and evaluate the Freedom of Information (FOI) requests released to the public and to give my ideas on how to improve the issues raised. I also understand that some people will have their own ideas that may differ from mine.
During the week I usually keep an eye on TfL’s Freedom of Information request disclosure log on their website and tweet some of the more interesting FOI requests to my Twitter.
Routes 63 and U5 use BYD-Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400EV City buses with high-spec interiors; two FOI requests revealed complaints and issues raised about them.
It’s been over a month since TfL announced the new London Bus Tender awards. Here are the recent tender awards which will include new double-deck electric buses for routes 119 and 264.
From Greater London Authority news release
As the UK prepares to host the important COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that all new buses ordered by Transport for London (TfL) for the capital will now be zero-emission, building on its recent achievement of making its entire bus fleet compliant with strict Euro VI emission standards – the same standards as the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
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 new London Bus Tender Awards have revealed Tower Transit has retained route 13 with existing double deck hybrids and Metroline retained route 204 with new double deck electrics.
LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:
Yes I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted on my website, but now I’ve found something interesting to write up.
LBSL intends to enter into a new contract for the following route with the operator listed below:
This week has seen some big news for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK Government have announced an investment of £54 million for projects to create new zero-emission vehicles.
From Gov.UK
• projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will secure nearly 10,000 jobs and save 45 million tonnes of CO₂
• investment will help drive energy-saving technology across a wide range of vehicles and propel forward a green economy recovery
Request ID: FOI-2253-2021
Date published: 26 February 2021
1. Can you confirm the date of delivery and conversion of route 7 to double-deck electric buses?
From TfL press release
The main bus network now exclusively uses Euro VI or cleaner buses, the same emissions standard as the Mayor of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone.
All buses in TfL's 9,000-strong bus fleet* now meet or exceed the cleanest Euro VI emissions standards. This is a major milestone in tackling toxic air pollution in the capital.
News update for Ireland once again.
It has been revealed that Ireland’s governing body National Transport Authority have commenced a tender process to purchase 800 double-deck electric buses for services in the Republic of Ireland.
From National Transport Authority
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has today commenced the procurement process for up to 800 double-deck battery electric buses as part of a shift towards greater sustainability in the public transport fleet.
The process is part of a continued effort to transition to low and zero emission buses as provided for in Project Ireland 2040 and the Climate Action Plan. The NTA intends to purchase up to 800 buses under this Framework Agreement over a period of five years, with the first buses expected to arrive in the second half of 2022.
Good news for Wrightbus, the Northern Irish Department of Infrastructure have announced an investment of £66 million for 100 zero and 45 low emission buses, manufactured by Wrightbus.
From Department for Infrastructure
The decarbonisation of public transport in Northern Ireland has taken a significant leap forward with a new contract for 145 zero and low emission buses.
At last the London Bus tender awards have finally been announced. This is a surprising announcement because 10 routes have been awarded using electric buses.
LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:
It’s been a year since Wrightbus went in to Administration and were taken over by Jo Bamford.
From Birmingham City Council News Release
Birmingham City Council has purchased 20 new hydrogen double decker buses as part of their Clean Air Hydrogen Bus Pilot.
The Clean Air Hydrogen Bus Pilot looks to ‘kick-start’ the hydrogen market as a viable zero-emission fuel with the procurement and deployment of 20 hydrogen buses in Birmingham. The buses, which are made by Wrightbus and are the world's first zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell double deckers, will be introduced with National Express West Midlands from April 2021.
It’s intended that pilot will be the catalyst for the next generation of hydrogen buses, hydrogen production and re-fuelling infrastructure development. The council have also collaborated with ITM, who will be producing and dispensing the hydrogen fuel from the new re-fuelling hub at Tyseley Energy Park.
We have all heard the news of Jo Bamford purchasing Wrightbus, and now a
I know I haven't been posting for a month, but I have to break this sad news.
