The Sustainable Bus Update: volume eleven

Oxford and Coventry in the running to get all-new electric bus fleet

Coventry and Oxford are developing proposals to become the first parts of the UK to run all-electric bus services.

The cities are developing business cases in an England-wide competition to switch an entire town or city’s bus fleet to electric vehicles.

Subject to successful business cases, the Department for Transport (DfT) says each area could be awarded up to £50 million to not only replace its entire fleet of buses with all-electric versions, but to also install new infrastructure, such as charging stations, and pay for electric grid updates.

Read more here. 

First Bus and TfL retrofit buses to improve emissions

First Bus, one of the UK’s largest bus operators, has announced that it has completed the refit of 1,000 buses (around 20 per cent of its fleet) across its UK network with new exhaust systems and e-Fans to comply with Euro VI emission requirements.

Meanwhile, all buses in Transport for London’s 9,000-strong bus fleet now meet or exceed the cleanest Euro VI emissions standards, something the authority has called a major milestone in tackling toxic air pollution in the capital.

World’s first double decker hydrogen buses launch in Aberdeen

The world’s first fleet of double decker hydrogen buses has officially launched into service in Aberdeen.

Run by First Bus – one of Scotland’s largest bus operators – project leaders Aberdeen City Council says the hydrogen buses represent a major step forward in reducing climate change, as cities across the world witness how far innovation in the transport industry has come.

The zero-emission fleet emits nothing more than water from its exhausts as the fuel is made from just wind and water. Furthermore, plans are in place for Aberdeen to make its own hydrogen to power the buses, making it an even greener energy source for the local community.

Find out more here. 

Arriva orders new hydrogen buses for operation in The Netherlands

Following the signing of its first hydrogen bus agreement, Arriva says it is expecting delivery of 10 buses in the Netherlands this December, with operations due to start in early 2022.

Arriva plans to replace some of the current diesel buses, providing hydrogen fuelled technology to journeys in Achterhoek, Gelderland, a region which is participating in the European JIVE2 programme (Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles) focusing on the promotion of emission-free public transport.

The buses are expected to travel over one-million kilometres a year.  Each vehicle measures 12 meters, is equipped with 37 seats and able to carry 85 passengers.  The buses are equipped with USB charging points, air conditioning and modern passenger information systems as well as CCTV, wheelchair access ramps and dedicated space on-board.

First Bus to test new electric bus on routes in the UK this Autumn

Electric vehicle company Arrival has announced that it will begin trials of its zero-emission bus with First Bus, one of the UK’s largest transport operators. The trials, which will see Arrival buses navigating existing First Bus routes in the UK, will begin this Autumn.

The new partnership comes just seven months after First Bus announced their commitment to purchase no diesel buses after 2022 and to operate a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.

Read more here.