Wrightbus has just received a substantial order from Ireland’s National Transport Authority (NTA) to supply 800 electric double-decker buses over a five year period.
Under an agreement between NTA and Wrightbus, 120 StreetDeck Electroliners have been firmly ordered. The NTA says that 100 of these buses will be used in Dublin and 20 in Limerick.
The electric double-decker buses are scheduled to start operating in 2023. Wrightbus’ main factory, located on the outskirts of the city of Ballymena, Northern Ireland, will be the site of the production of the electric double-decker buses.
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The NTA says the framework contract has the potential to be the largest bus procurement in Irish history. If the NTA takes full advantage of the contract framework over the next five years, the number of electric buses in Ireland could see a significant increase.
The tender for the bus procurement itself opened at the end of 2020. NTA chose Wrightbus with an initial order of 120 buses worth 80.4 million euros.
Earlier in February 2020, ADL was awarded a contract to supply up to 600 double-decker hybrid vehicles. In July 2021, the NTA signed a framework agreement with BYD-ADL for up to 200 electric solo buses.
“We know that decarbonising transport is imperative, as part of our effort to tackle climate change. Public transport because it is shared mobility is already a far more sustainable and economical way of getting around, particularly compared to a private car that runs on fossil fuel, and the battery-electric buses that we are now ordering, will accelerate the transition to a zero-emission fleets.” said the Minister of Transport, Eamon Ryan
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Wrightbus said the agreement with NTA strengthens the company’s position in the production of emission-free vehicles.
“This deal further cements the reputation we have built in the zero-emission sector, and follows hot on the heels of historic deals in Australia and Germany. This shows our ambition to be at the forefront of the zero-emission drive in cities, towns and rural areas across the world.” said Neil Collins, Managing Director of Wrightbus
