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Bergen’s bus fleet goes 100 per cent fossil fuel free

Posted: 3 December 2020 | | No comments yet

Bergen’s bus fleet is now totally fossil fuel free as Keolis launched its new vehicles this week, which it says will save 50 tonnes of CO2 per year per bus.

solaris bus bergen

The electric buses can operate for between seven and 10 hours on just one charge. Credit: Keolis Norge

After 18 months of preparation, Bergen’s 100 per cent fossil-free bus fleet began commercial service this week. In June 2019, Skyss (the transport provider in Bergen) awarded Keolis a 10-year contract which it says is worth over €400 million to operate and maintain 138 green vehicles.

The network features 27 lines and services, among others, the Bergen light rail network, a hospital and a train station.  

Bergen’s bus fleet now features 102 all-electric Yutong buses 10 Solaris trolley buses, and 26 Volvo HVO2 buses. The vehicles are expected to run a total of 5.7 million kilometres a year, which Keolis says will reduce CO2 emissions by around 85 per cent over the life of the contract and make quality of life even better for Bergen’s nearly 300,000 inhabitants. According to the company, replacing a diesel bus with an electric vehicle saves some 50 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Meanwhile, Bergen’s Mannsverk bus depot was upgraded and outfitted with recharging infrastructure able to charge up to 91 buses simultaneously. Overnight charging takes 5-6 hours, and enables the buses to run for seven to 10 hours, depending on operating conditions.

Bernard Tabary, CEO International, Keolis Group was pleased with the roll-out: “We are delighted with our partnership with Skyss, and pleased that Keolis is able to help make sustainable infrastructure and sustainable communities a reality for the people of Bergen. Working with the authority, we will focus on rebuilding passenger trust in the wake of the pandemic, and welcoming people back for safe, comfortable, green journeys aboard this brand-new fleet.”

Keolis has run Bergen’s light rail system for the past 10 years, and the new bus network makes it a multimodal provider in the city, which it says means it can offer passengers a more integrated mobility experience.