Translink has welcomed the Department for Infrastructure's announcement of £88 million funding for 100 new zero-emission buses and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, saying the investment will be transformative in delivering a zero-emission transport future for Northern Ireland.
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| Department for Infastructure |
The new battery electric buses, which will be a mix of single-deck and double-deck vehicles, will be supplied by local manufacturer Wrightbus. The supplied single deck bus will be a new Wrightbus battery electric model, with an extended journey range on a single charge.
All of the new buses are planned to enter service by summer 2024, following the successful rollout of 100 Zero Emission buses on Belfast Metro services earlier this year, as well as the planned conversion of Foyle Metro services in Derry—Londonderry to be completely Zero Emissions by summer 2023.
Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, says zero emission transport is critical in tackling climate change and improving air quality:
“This further significant investment in Zero Emission buses supports our plans to decarbonise our fleet and lead the transport transformation in Northern Ireland for a cleaner, greener and healthier future for generations to come.
“It enables us to deliver the benefits of Zero Emission technology to more areas across NI with 40 buses being allocated to Ulsterbus services in the North-West, Coleraine and Craigavon.
“We will enhance the existing zero emission Metro fleet in Belfast with 60 buses which will mean that over half of these services will be Zero Emission.
“All the new buses will run on sustainably sourced “green” electricity and offer the latest standards in comfort, quality and accessibility with in-seat USB chargers, WiFi and low-floor accessibility features.
“Public transport plays a vital role in supporting the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Northern Ireland and investment in Zero Emission fleet will be instrumental in helping us achieve our ambitious climate action targets to deliver 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, achieve Net Zero by 2040 and to become Climate Positive by 2050.
“We would like to thank the Minister and his Department for this investment and look forward to working in partnership with Wrightbus to deliver these new state-of-the-art buses, building a more sustainable future for Northern Ireland.”
Ben Werth, Wrightbus Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“We’re immensely proud that an additional 100 of our world-leading StreetDeck Electroliners and GB Kite Electroliners will be on the streets of Northern Ireland.
“At Wrightbus, we’re not only enabling operators to build zero emission fleets fit for the future, but we’re also supporting jobs and the wider green economy across Ireland and beyond.
"This latest investment will help to make a huge impact in reducing emissions across the country."
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