Wrightbus will provide Translink 100 units of electric buses, both single deck and double decker buses to serve public transportation in Belfast
All electric buses from Wrightbus will start operating in the summer of 2024 along with the planned conversion of the Foyle Metro service in Derry Londonderry to a completely zero emission bus by the summer of 2023.
Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said this significant further investment in Zero Emission buses supports his plan to decarbonise the fleet and lead the transformation of transport in Northern Ireland for a cleaner, greener and healthier future for future generations.
“This allows us to deliver the benefits of zero emission technology to more areas across Northern Ireland with 40 buses allocated to Ulsterbus services in the North West, Coleraine and Craigavon,” said Chris in a statement.
According to Chris, his party will increase the existing zero-emission Metro fleet in Belfast with 60 buses. Currently more than half of services use zero-emission buses.
“All new buses will run on green electricity that is sustainably sourced and offer the latest standards in comfort, quality and accessibility with USB in-seat chargers, WiFi and accessibility features downstairs,” he said.
Public transport, said Chris, plays an important role in supporting Northern Ireland’s economic, social and environmental well-being and investment in a zero-emissions fleet will be instrumental in helping it achieve our ambitious climate action target of delivering 50% carbon emissions reductions by 2030.
Wrightbus Chief Commercial Officer, Ben Werth, said he was extremely proud that an additional 100 of the world’s leading StreetDeck Electroliners and GB Kite Electroliners would be on the streets of Northern Ireland.
“At Wrightbus, we are not only enabling operators to build future-compliant zero-emissions fleets, but we are also supporting jobs and the broader green economy across Ireland and beyond. This latest investment will help make a huge impact in reducing emissions across the country.”
Wrightbus announced substantial order up to 800 electric double-decker buses from Ireland