Translink Metro buses achieve 1.5 million emissions free miles in Belfast

Credit: Translink

Translink has announced that its Metro buses in Belfast have accomplished an impressive feat in 2022, covering over 1.5 million miles of emissions free travel and effectively removing 1,635 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere. This achievement supports Translink’s goal of achieving a net zero fleet across Northern Ireland by 2040.

With more than 100 zero-emission buses already in operation, Translink has plans to expand its environmentally friendly transportation options. In 2023, it will introduce an additional 44 zero-emission buses, including a bus renewal project for Foyle Metro services. This initiative will make Derry-Londonderry one of the pioneering cities in the UK and Ireland to operate a fully zero-emission urban bus service. Furthermore, Coleraine can also anticipate the arrival of new zero-emission buses, bolstering the environmental credentials of the local bus fleet.

Translink’s CEO, Chris Conway, said: “Investment in zero-emission fleet  and technology, along with modal shift, is vital to tackle the climate crisis and achieve the emission reduction targets set out in the NI Climate Change Act. Over five million emissions free bus passenger journeys were made on Metro last year, cutting congestion on local roads while reducing noise and air pollution across Belfast.”

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Debbie Caldwell, Climate Commissioner of Belfast City Council, said: “As a city we have committed to reducing our emissions by 80% by 2030. With transport accounting for around one fifth of our emissions, Translink‘s commitment to zero-emission public transport is playing a critical role in achieving this target and reducing air pollution in our city. Alongside this, we’re encouraging people to reduce the number of car journeys they make and use public transport more often.”

Furthermore, Belfast City Council actively supports the transition to electric vehicles through the development of an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure strategy, focusing on public charging infrastructure. It is also formulating a Local Area Energy Plan to identify effective measures for decarbonising housing, transport and energy in different parts of the city. These initiatives align with its ambition to transform Belfast into an inclusive, resilient and net zero city by 2050.