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PROFILE

NTA and Bus Éireann bring Wrightbus Hydrogen Buses to Dublin

Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment & Communications; Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Authority and Stephen Kent, Chief Executive, Bus Éireann.

The Greening of Ireland’s public transport fleet continues with The National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann unveiling three new hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric double-deck buses built by Wrightbus in Ballymena.

Initially they will be used on commuter services in the Greater Dublin Area and have been in operation since the beginning of July. The three high capacity vehicles, went into service 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.

At the launch of the three buses in the Phoenix Park, Eamon Ryan, TD, the Transport Minister described the occasion as “an important and historic day for Ireland as we start to improve our air quality with these buses and reaching our climate goals”.

Anne Graham, NTA Chief Executive Officer stated that €2.4m was invested in these specific buses and gave details of some new fleet purchases that would be confirmed in the near future. “As these new hydrogen buses go into operation with Bus Éireann, we are setting out on a journey towards a zero emission public transport fleet. Alongside these buses, we are also about to order 45 single-deck battery-electric buses for use in urban areas, with another 150 or so to come. “And in the next month or so, we will be ordering the first 120 battery-electric double-deck buses for use in the large cities, with another 680 to follow in the coming years.” Commenting on the ongoing developments, Stephen Kent, Chief Executive Officer, Bus Éireann said: “Bus Éireann is committed to the transition to a zero emission fleet and to our sustainability targets which include growing passenger journeys and offering a compelling alternative to private car travel. Given the very varied routes, locations and terrains Bus Éireann serves across 82 million kilometres a year, it has become evident that no single technology is the answer. We are especially excited about the range offered by zero tail-pipe emission hydrogen vehicles, and also the passenger benefits of silent, smooth travel that delivers a notably different and much improved bus journey experience.”

The Wrightbus Streetdeck H2 FCEV is the world’s first hydrogen double-deck bus. Speaking at the launch, Wright bus’ new Managing Director, Neil Collins, said he couldn’t be prouder: “This launch marks a true all-Ireland sustainability solution that will help us reach the ambitious Net Zero targets that we must all strive towards. We’re incredibly proud that zero-emission hydrogen buses made by Wrightbus here in Ireland, powered by energy produced in Ireland, will soon be in service for passengers in Dublin, thanks to the progressive outlook of Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority.

Details on the specification of the new Wrightbus Streetdeck H2 FCEV includes:

n Each bus can accommodate up to 79 passengers within its overall length of 11.5 metres. n Accessibility is a priority in the design of the new buses, which feature: n Priority seats upholstered in distinctive, high contrast moquette n A large permanent wheelchair space n A separate, dedicated buggy space n Wider access passages n A powered wheelchair ramp at the front doorway n An additional passenger information display within the wheelchair space n High definition exterior destination displays n The high visibility yellow, green and white Transport For Ireland livery

The Hydrogen fuel for the buses will initially be supplied by BOC Gases Ireland, with refuelling being undertaken at its Bluebell facility on the Naas Road in Dublin.

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