green bus and coach October 2022

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Bee Network order for

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4 Connecting buses for Commonwealth

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Keeping connected on Commonwealth Games buses

Linda Clark, managing director, Mobile Mark Europe reflects on the use of mobile communications on buses at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Asuccess of the Birmingham 2022 Common wealth Games was transport logistics, with columns of buses efficiently and economically, moving a million competitors, fans, officials and vol unteers between events. Underpinning this was reli able, wide area communications between vehicles and control centre. The games used bus providers from all over the UK to provide a free transport service.

The Games demonstrated the essential role that antenna infrastructure and technology played in pro viding reliable connectivity and access for visitors as well as underpinning critical communications. The requirement for connectivity was a challenge that had to be achieved between venues and while users were on the move.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games was attended by 1.3 million people, the overwhelming majority of whom wanted to connect their portable devices to the internet. This is a major challenge to all mega events, where people now expect to have access to fast, reliable communications and transmission capabil ity. How this is achieved often must depend on what systems are already available at a venue and its envi rons. Options can include, wi-fi 6 as an enhanced ver sion of the 2.4/5GHz spectrum, 2.4GHz provides the most coverage at slower transmission speed, while 5GHz gives less coverage but higher data transmis sion speed.

LTE and 5G provide good communications with capability for expansion via temporary cell sites.

There is also Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), widely used in stadiums, which facilitates multipleuser, high speed connectivity. The network used is often determined by what is already available and theresources to pay for access to a network.

At events such as the Commonwealth Games criti cal communications are, as it says on the tin, critical. Police, security, emergency and transportation ser vices rely for data transmission and communications on network accessibility and reliability. Here signal connection is important as is the security of the net work provided by the network operator. However, the most secure network is useless, if users can’t connect to it or if signals don’t get through.

Antenna and system design are critical for ensuring communications from, for instance, first responders being received from all locations at an event. Thus, there is a need for robust systems and if resources permit a degree of redundancy and appropriate backup systems.

The communications worked well, given that the different bus operators had different communication, tracking and location systems. GPS/GNSS location solutions with LTE cellular systems for information communication with the control room were used to provide passengers with real time information at smart bus shelters. The buses were also equipped with wi-fi for passenger use. Some operators had incorpo rated Mobile Mark’s 946 series, offering 4x4 MIMO for 5G cellular along with 6 wi-fi 6e elements for data

distribution, collection and a GNSS element for loca tion or timing.

Modern buses come with an array of technology, electronic ticket validation, passenger counting, CCTV, VHF and UHF communication links.

Data exchange from bus to control room and back, requires appropriate on-board equipment to give operator and customer what they need. The chal lenges are cost and installing multi-band high per formance, durable antenna systems to deal with film and video streaming by customers and control room communications.

High demand for connectivity and network pres sure peaks, such as half-time breaks or opening and closing ceremonies, requires robust solutions with deployment of temporary cell sites or Distributed Antenna Systems being available options for organis ers. Looking at the critical communications aspect of the games, it was a complex operation between, police, military, first responders and in house secu rity that was underpinned by cellular and TETRA Two-way radio that proved successful in maintain ing communications with all involved in making the games safe, secure and enjoyable.

Looking forward from Birmingham 2022 and at challenges for antenna solutions for super-fast com munications at mega events, the number of elements

required for future lightning-fast data transmission rates, alongside increasing frequency ranges, are going to be challenging. 5G mmWave running at high frequency and extremely high data rates pose a chal lenge as radio waves, at such frequencies, act more like directed light from a bulb, rather than receiveanywhere radio waves. The characteristics require both the send and receive antennas to be pointed at each other.

Consequently, a new technology, Smart Anten nas, is emerging. This uses automated beam steer ing, which electronically aims the antenna at users’ devices to achieve maximum data rates. The system uses Massive MIMO arrays, which have dozens or even hundreds of individual radiating elements which can be switched and aimed as required.

With the growth of Smart Cities, the demand for appropriate antennas is a design challenge, as with 5G using MIMO technology requiring multiple data channels for transmitting data concurrently. In the antenna industry we are working to satisfy the needs of the user and the technology for connectivity. Be that at an event, on a bus, in a smart building or cheering the winners at the finishing line, innovative developments will remain an essential part of these solutions.

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Transport for Greater Manchester orders 50 Alexander Dennis zeroemission buses for franchised Bee Network

ALEXANDER Dennis has won an order from Transport for Greater Manchester for 50 zeroemission double-deck buses for the first phase of the franchised Bee Network bus system which will launch in September 2023.

The electric buses will be built at Alexander Dennis’s factory in Scarborough and are due to oper ate in Wigan and Bolton, where bus franchising will be rolled out on 17 September 2023, ahead of other parts of Greater Manches ter following in 2024 and 2025.

The Alexander Dennis zeroemission buses will be the first to bear the branding of the new Bee Network – Greater Manchester’s ambition for a fully integrated, London-style integrated trans port system comprising buses, trams, walking and cycling, and eventually trains. The distinc

tive black and yellow design was unveiled by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

The 50 new buses will be funded from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, with around 300 more electric buses to be delivered from 2024 through to 2027.

Alexander Dennis president & managing director Paul Davies says: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Transport for Greater Manchester as supplier for the first tranche of zero-emission buses for the new Bee Network. We look forward to playing our part in transforming bus services in Wigan and Bolton with these iconic buses, which will be built in the North of England at our factory in Scarborough and sup ported locally from our AD24 aftermarket hub in Skelmersdale.

“Choosing Alexander Den nis shows Transport for Greater Manchester and the mayor’s commitment to building buses locally in the United Kingdom, for which we are grateful. The new livery will inspire pride in Manchester’s Bee Network and the improvements it will deliver for the region.”

Mayor of Greater Manches ter Andy Burnham, adds: “The countdown to bringing buses back under local control for the first time in 36 years is well and truly on.

“With the order placed for our first 50 new electric buses and strong interest from operators who want to run the first fran chised services a year from now, the Bee Network is gathering real momentum.”

www.alexander-dennis.com

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hydrogen

Rampini unveils first Italian built hydrogen bus

TALIAN manufacturer Rampini has produced the first hydro gen bus completely made in Italy, which has been built and designed in Umbria. The new Hydron is an 8m-long hydro gen bus, with capacity for up to 48 passengers and a range of 450km.

“A few years ago we made a precise and, for the time, coun ter-cultural choice: not to build diesel buses anymore,” says Fabio Magnoni, general man ager, Rampini. “A choice made at a time that raised in the industry quite a few doubts. The range of products we have now presented is our pride, the result of invest ments in research and innova

tion and the testimony that Italian industry is alive and capable of expressing excellence.

“Being sustainable, in fact, is not only a competitive factor, but it is a way to be able to exist in the market and look with confidence to the future of an industrial production.”

Alongside the Hydron, Rampini has unveiled two new zero-emis sion bus models, Sixtron, a 6m electric bus designed to meet transportation needs in small his toric towns and cities, and Eltron, an evolution of the E80 model, the first electric bus built by Rampini.

Sixtron can transport up to 31 passengers, having a range of about 250km, and is designed to

work non-stop, all-day, in urban operation. The first Sixtron bus is already in use on the island of Procida, this year’s European Capital of Culture.

The Eltron model follows years of testing, and has been sold in Italy and several Euro pean countries since 2010. Eltron has distinctive techni cal features including a narrow width, three doors, and a range of more than 300km.

The public launch of the new hydrogen bus and the range of electric buses takes place this month at the Next Mobility Exhibition in Milan.

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Zeelo and Zenobē develop partnership to boost roll out of electric buses and coaches

ZEELO and Zenobē have announced a partnership to drive electrification of buses and coaches in the UK. The two com panies have signed an agreement that will enable Zeelo’s network of 200 bus and coach operators to trial electric vehicles, including temporary charging infrastruc ture provided by Zenobē.

The agreement includes the supply of trial fleets and charg ing infrastructure, enabling the first co-branded electric buses and coaches to operate on work and school commuter opera tions. The relationship will also allow Zeelo and Zenobē to work closely together to iden tify opportunities for large-scale fleet electrification.

The partnership has already

seen Zeelo and Zenobē support operator Airsym to launch new electric services, including the provision of an electric bus ser vice for students at Dwight School London, and an electric coach that will operate at London Heathrow airport and as a shuttle service for staff at McLaren Automotive.

Sam Ryan, Zeelo CEO, says: “Zeelo and Zenobē share a vision to drive the nation to cleaner transport and Zenobē is the ideal partner with its strong track record of electrifying depots for bus and coach operators. Zeelo has an ambitious vision not only to up-switch over 8 million Zeelo journeys per year to electric buses within the next 3-5 years, but also to support over 200 family-run bus and coach operators to be able to

afford to invest in electric fleets.

“Through our partnership with Zenobē we can help kickstart a national transition out of a reliance on diesel amid the fuel crisis.”

Steven Meersman, co-founder, Zenobē, adds: “We’re excited to join forces with fellow transport innovator Zeelo to explore ways to make it easier for bus and coach operators to switch to elec tric today.

“Electrification of both bus and coach will play a pivotal role in transport decarbonisation and can help Zeelo and its customers to achieve their zero emission commitments.”

www.zeelo.co www.zenobe.com

Quantron targets North America for growth

GERMAN manufacturer

Quantron is expanding to North America where it will offer its commercial vehicles with hydro gen fuel cell drive and battery electric drive as well as retro fit packages. The company has established Quantron US Inc. and appointed Richard Haas as its CEO, while targeting to achieve 50 per cent of its turno ver in the North American mar ket by 2025.

Quantron says that, supported by its strategic partnership with Canadian fuel cell supplier Bal

lard Power Systems, it has the ambition to be one of the trail blazers in the hydrogen vehicle segment in the U.S.

Michael Perschke, CEO, Quantron says: “The foundation of a subsidiary in the US is an important step towards our goal of putting zero-emission vehicles on the roads globally. In Europe, close to 100 vehicles converted by Quantron are already successfully in use. We see potential for the USA in the early years of a tripledigit volume annually. I am very pleased that Richard Haas, with

more than 40 years of multicul tural experience in the mobility industry, will be joining us as president and CEO for Quantron US.”

Prior to joining Quantron, Haas was president and CEO of automotive start-up Mahindra Automotive North America, launching a new assembly plant in the Detroit area. Before that, he was director of engineering for the Tesla Model S and worked for Ford Motor Company.

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hydrogen

IIA and Caetanobus to develop new Italian-built hydrogen buses

CAETANOBUS and Industria

Italiana Autobus have signed an agreement to start the production and marketing in Italy of hydro gen-powered city buses based on Toyota Fuel Cell technology and an H2.City Power Kit system developed by CaetanoBus.

By the end of 2022, IIA will initially sell hydrogen buses produced by CaetanoBus, cobranded with Toyota, but from 2024 it will start direct produc tion for the Italian and interna

tional markets.

H2.City Power Kit is a module engineered by CaetanoBus for a hydrogen energy control system using Toyota’s Fuel Cell module, LTO battery, and hydrogen tanks.

IIA (Industria Italiana Auto bus), headquartered in Rome, has production units in Bologna and Flumeri and is controlled by Invi talia, which controls 42.76 per cent of the capital, supported by Leon ardo, which holds 28.65 per cent.

CaetanoBus CEO Patrícia Vas

concelos says: “In terms of mobil ity, Italy is a country that has sought to adopt measures aimed at decarbonising the economy, with a focus on transport in line with current trends in environ mental sustainability. IIA is the right partner because we share the same vision aimed at creating a zero-emission society achieved through our joint innovative technologies.”

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Equipmake to re-power early Optare Versas with new electric drivetrain

EQUIPMAKE has been awarded a contract to convert 12 First York electric Optare Versa buses using its electric drivetrain.

Equipmake says it expects each converted bus to have a range of 150 miles in all UK weather con ditions, thanks to a larger battery and a patented HVAC system, extending the life of existing zero-emissions public transport for the people of York.

Both single-decks, such as the Versa, and double-decks, can be repurposed to incorporate Equipmake’s scalable, modular Zero Emission Drivetrain.

Equipmake’s re-powering pro cesses are tailored to require

ments provided by the operator, with routes simulated to ensure the optimum battery power level is selected to secure driving ranges of 150 to 250 miles. Equipmake says this range is more than sufficient for a complete duty cycle, allowing buses to be recharged faster, over night and operate for longer dur ing the day.

Ian Foley, CEO, Equipmake, says: “Re-powered buses represent a fantastic opportunity for opera tors to help accelerate the muchneeded transition to sustainable mobility. Together with our new electric bus, the Jewel E, this tech nology can facilitate a significant reduction in air pollution across

the country.”

Garry Birmingham, director for decarbonisation at First Bus, adds: “The retrofitting of our older electric buses is another great example of how we can maximise the lifespan of a bus, beyond 15 years, and in addition, significantly reduce the embod ied carbon associated with man ufacturing new vehicles.

“These 12 re-powered buses use a clever and cost-effective technology, which underlines our commitment to offer sustainable transport solutions.”

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Sustainability focus at Next Mobility Exhibition in Milan

ENVIRONMENTAL sustain ability will be the central focus of Next Mobility Exhibition which takes place in Milan from 12-14 October. The show will fea ture electric, gas, hydrogen and zero-impact biofuels, as well as new mobility systems including sharing and micro-mobility, and futuristic ones, such as urban air mobility.

Bus manufacturers exhibiting at the show include Industria Italiana Autobus, Irizar e-mobil ity, Isuzu Bus Italia, Iveco Bus, Karsan, MAN Truck & Bus Italia,

Otokar Europe, Rampini Carlo, Solaris Bus & Coach, Tecnobus and ZF Italia.

The three-day exhibition also includes a conference and semi nar programme, organised with a range of partners including UITP and IRU.

The conference includes a ses sion on ‘Drivers for sustainable and innovative mobility’ which aims to offer the tools to be put in place now to revive demand for public transport.

“We are opening the conference with an event in which we not only

aim to analyse and discuss tech nical aspects, but with which we want to make clear how crucial it is now to promote a cultural approach to the topic of sustain able mobility’” says Pierluigi Coppola, Politecnico di Milano, chairman of the NME technical and scientific committee and curator of the conference. “Only by creating a virtuous system and acting together can we make a concrete contribution to mak ing our cities more liveable, safe and clean.”

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Twelve Irizar electric buses for Palma

IRIZAR e-mobility will provide 12 electric ie tram buses to Palma with the delivery of the first units in early 2023. The vehicles will have solar panels on the roof to power auxiliary systems of the buses.

Txema Otero, Irizar e-mobility commercial director for Spain & Portugal, says: “This order is strategic for us because of the

visibility Palma has in the tourism market. We’re extremely proud to be able to contribute to improving the quality of life of its residents.”

The Irizar ie tram vehicles will be 12 metres long and they will have three doors, 22 seats and a wheelchair area and they will be able to carry up to 70 passengers. They will have 430kWh Irizar bat teries and can be charged using an

inverted pantograph or a Combo 2 charging outlet. The drive unit will be a 206kW central motor.

The project received financ ing from the European Union NextGenerationEU, RecoveryTransformation and Resilience Plan funds through the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda.

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Zenobē supports McGill’s expansion of electric bus fleet

ZENOBĒ is extending its rela tionship with leading Scottish bus operator McGill’s to bring more electric bus services to west central Scotland. The collabora tion will see the electrification of a bus depot at Greenock, due to go live in the first quarter of 2023, and the expansion of the electric depots at Inchinnan and Johnstone, facilitating the opera tion of 41 new electric buses. This brings the number of electric buses in the McGill’s fleet to 109.

The announcement follows the awarding of funding from the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund to McGill’s for new electric buses and the infrastructure to support them. Zenobē will be funding the bat teries on the 41 Pelican Yutong

vehicles and will be building the new infrastructure across sites, as well as implementing its end-toend software solution to manage the fleet charging and resulting power requirements.

Ralph Roberts, CEO, McGill’s, says: “We are delighted to be extending our work with Zenobē.

In the last 12 months, McGill’s has delivered 7.5 million passen ger journeys on zero emission buses over three million vehicle miles. In conjunction with Scot land’s clean grid, this is game changing for our planet.”

Next European ZEB Conference at Busworld Europe 2023

THE fifth European Zero Emis sion Bus Conference will be organised alongside the 26th Busworld Europe show which takes place on 9-12 October 2023 in Brussels. Element Energy, organiser of the conference, is partnering with Busworld Foundation to create what they describe as the best European ZEB event yet.

The Zero Emission Bus Con ference is an event series created by Element Energy and Center for Transportation and the Environ ment to accelerate the transition to zero emission bus technolo

gies. Since launching in 2016, nine ZEB events have been held to date in Europe and America.

The conference programme is currently being finalised and is designed to give bus and coach operators, public transport author ities and policy makers a complete overview of the considerations for deploying zero emission fleets at scale. The Advisory Board helping to shape the conference consists of a consortium of experts from across the bus and coach industry.

New in the 2023 event will be special attention for zero emission long distance and tourism coaches

as the sector prepares for emerg ing zero emission zone cities.

Michael Dolman, partner, Ele ment Energy, says: “The Zero Emission Bus conferences pro vide an excellent opportunity for all with an interest in zero emis sion public transport to share les sons, gain insights into the latest technology and policy develop ments, and build networks and partnerships. We’re delighted to be collaborating with Busworld Foundation to maximise the value and impact of the 2023 edition.”

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Pamplona to take 20 Irizar ie tram buses

IRIZAR e-mobility has won a contract to supply 20 ie tram buses to Transports Ciutat Comtal from the Moventis group which manages the regional transport fleet in Pamplona. The delivery of the first units is expected for mid-2023.

Iñigo Azcona, Irizar e-mobility

commercial manager for Spain and Portugal, says: “We’re extremely happy to be able to contribute to the ambitious sustainable public transport projects being under taken by the region of Pamplona. The ie tram is a hook product that is revolutionising electromobility in cities. With 430kWh Irizar bat

teries and equipped with 206kW traction engines, the vehicles have three doors, 25 seats for passengers and 2 wheelchair and pram areas and can carry up to 80 passengers.

TCC Pamplona operates a fleet of 159 buses.

www.irizar-emobility.com

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BYD and Castrosua to develop Spanish built electric buses

BYD has signed a framework agreement with Spanish body builder Castrosua to produce customised 12m eBuses for the local market. The BYD-Castro sua 12m eBuses will be built on BYD electric chassis and incor porate Castrosua’s NELEC body for Spanish customers.

The first BYD-Castrosua eBus is already under development and will soon be available for operation.

Javier Contijoch, BYD Europe eBus vice president of sales, says: “It is a great honour for BYD to bring the world’s leading technol ogy to Spain and start the partner ship with Castrosua. We highly value our local partnerships and it is especially significant that the tailor-made eBuses will be manu factured locally in Spain, for Span ish customers.”

Beatriz Castro, CEO, Castrosua, adds: “Castrosua and BYD now

combine their strengths with the clear objective of offering cus tomers highly personalised and innovative electric bus solutions. Together we continue to support eMobility, meeting customers’ specific needs, through a service that will benefit from the experi ence and professionalism of both our teams.”

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TruTac to demonstrate new tech solutions at 2022 Expo

TRUTAC is showcasing its lat est easy-to-integrate compli ance tools at this year’s Euro Bus Expo at the NEC.

The re-designed and relaunched CPT Driver App is designed for simple compliance management and lower running costs all-round.

The app was originally launched more than 10 years ago as a facility for drivers to conduct paperless, walk-round vehicle checks. With bespoke PSV features added to its basic driver’s check functions, the app now features a host of new capabilities, including full inte gration with TruTac’s other products.

Modules such as CPT Analy sis, CPT Time, and Documents Premium can now be accessed directly through the app. In addition, the app can seamlessly send data from walk-round checks straight to the CPT Fleet system for ease of PSV fleet maintenance planning and to

keep vehicles moving.

It has an improved user inter face, including clearer notifi cations, a dedicated accident reporting system, an updated traf fic reports page, and a new light and dark mode.

TruTac’s recently launched Tru Documents Premium, is a new upgrade for users of its TruDocu ments platform to help operators better manage documents and move closer to a completely paper less operation.

Similar to an interactive docu ment library, TruDocuments Pre mium allows customers to enable documents to be available to driv ers via the TruTac app, including policies, handbooks, certificates and other vital literature. When published, the documents are instantly available to all employ ees with access to the app, or to a selected group of the workforce or individuals.

The system creates a clear audit trail by highlighting when docu ments have been sent, opened,

returned, and signed. It is sig nificantly more efficient than using physical paper documents and faster, more transparent, and more secure than email.

All the new technology will be demonstrated by the TruTac team at Euro Bus Expo in Bir mingham on 1-3 November. www.trutac.co.uk

Allison Transmission to show electric axle at Euro Bus Expo

ALLISON Transmission will exhibit an electric axle from its eGen Power range at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC next month.

Allison’s eGen Power is described as a drop-in solution, compatible with many existing chassis that is designed to fit between the wheels of medium

and heavy-duty trucks and buses, replacing the vehicle’s traditional powertrain. The electric axle sys tem is helping a growing number of OEMs accelerate their vehicle development and electrification programmes.

At the IAA Transportation trade fair in September, Allison

announced a strategic joint coop eration agreement with Turkey’s leading bus and truck manufac turer Anadolu Isuzu. As a part of this, Allison eGen Power 100S electric axles will be integrated into Anadolu Isuzu’s light-duty truck and midibus platforms. www.allisontransmission.com

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Joint push for electric bus battery improvements

KEOLIS, Iveco Bus and Forsee

Power have joined forces to opti mise the performance of batteries for electric buses. The three com panies have signed a partnership agreement to improve knowledge of how electric bus batteries func tion by pooling their own specific expertise. The goal is to improve control over the ageing of bat teries and to optimise the use of these assets, a key technical and economic challenge in electric bus systems.

The first trials will take place in the public transport network in Aix-en-Provence, in south-east ern France (Aixenbus), which has a fleet of 41 electric buses.

Pierre Gosset, industrial direc tor, Keolis group, says: “This

partnership marks an important step for Keolis Group in improving our knowledge of batteries. The fleet and the network in Aix-enProvence offers us the opportunity to conduct a life-sized experiment that will enable us to monitor the equipment over time, in different seasons and conditions in the field.

“The goal is to better our under standing of batteries, then to con trol the battery ageing process, in order to improve their reliabil ity, reduce risks and, if possible, extend their lifespan.

“By sharing their knowledge, the partners will be able to assess the actual performance of the bat teries in service, and the factors that affect their lifespan, more precisely.”

The first phase of this part nership, which is already in pro gress, consists mainly of sharing knowledge in order to assign the members to their respective fields of expertise. The second phase, which will last until the end of 2022, will involve a diag nostic of the current situation and the identification of oppor tunities for optimisation. A new phase will start in 2023 to opti mise the use and operation of the electric vehicles, in order to slow down the battery ageing process and to make energy savings in particular.

www.keolis.com www.ivecogroup.com www.forseepower.com

Stagecoach trims county network in response to post-Covid passenger falls

THE ongoing impact of Covid on bus patronage has driven Stage coach to reshape its network in Cambridgeshire. The new net work will mean enhancing 12 services across the region but 18 routes, which have seen signifi cant falls in passenger numbers and are losing Stagecoach £12 per passenger, will be withdrawn.

Stagecoach stresses that the lost routes represent less than six per cent of the entire Cambridgesh ire network, and have been sup ported by temporary national Government funding since the pandemic. Passenger numbers on these services are consistently

too low to cover operational costs, according to Stagecoach.

Darren Roe, Stagecoach East managing director, says: “We have designed a new core sustainable bus network with the aim of grow ing services over the long term. The new network is responding to local demand, and as part of that, we’re pleased to announce a range of enhancements for people in Cambridgeshire.

“We are grateful for the govern ment recovery funding which has been allocated to rebuild services that are sustainable for the long term. This unfortunately does mean making some tough deci

sions that reflect the reality of how services are being used after the pandemic.

“Overall, services are operat ing at around 75 per cent of prepandemic passenger levels, with concessionary travel for older people dropping to as low as 55 per cent.

“Inflation, rising fuel and energy bills are also all having an impact on our costs. In such tough economic conditions, just like local authorities, bus com panies are having to make very difficult decisions.”

www.stagecoachbus.com