Minister Naughton welcomes commencement of delivery of Bus Éireann electric hybrid fleet to Galway

Galway will be the first city to have a completely hybrid Bus Éireann fleet by 2022

Bus related greenhouse gas emissions will reduce by at least 30%

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, today marked the entry into service of the first of Bus Éireann’s electric hybrid vehicles to its Galway city fleet – a first for Ireland’s national bus company.  Funded by the National Transport Authority, and carrying the new, distinctive Transport for Ireland green and yellow livery, these buses mean reduced emissions and improved air quality.  Twenty six buses will enter service over the next number of weeks, with a further batch being delivered towards the end of 2021 to complete the transition of the Galway City bus network to low emission electric hybrid buses.

“This move reflects Government’s ambition to reduce emissions and make public transport a viable alternative to the private car, with the added benefit of reducing congestion and improving air quality,” Minister Naughton said.  “I’m delighted that Galway will be the first city in the country to make the switch to hybrid buses, and I look forward to seeing the shift in the coming years to more sustainable transport including active travel.”

“Bus Éireann is delighted to welcome the commencement of the delivery of electric hybrid vehicles to the Galway City network this week, operating the 407 service from Eyre Square to Bóthair an Choiste,” said Brian Connolly, Regional Manager West, Bus Éireann.  “Over the coming months, the people of Galway should expect to see many more of these new buses with Transport for Ireland livery as we will take delivery of up to 40 electric hybrid buses, transforming the entire Bus Éireann Galway city fleet to electric hybrid by the beginning of 2022.  Changes to the depot to facilitate charging and training for drivers and mechanics is well underway to accommodate these new buses.”

“Bus Éireann is an integral part of Galway and its community, employing 255 people in the local area. The city bus service in particular has seen considerable growth in the recent years, with passenger numbers doubling between 2011 and 2019 from 2.8 million a year to 5.6 million and we expect this to increase significantly in the coming years.  These new buses are extremely comfortable and well-equipped for passengers.”

Bus Éireann’s deployment of 61 Hybrid buses this year, beginning in Galway, is an important element of its recently published Sustainability Strategy.  Bus Éireann has committed to halving greenhouse gas emissions while also growing passenger numbers by 30% by 2030.

Given Bus Éireann’s extensive and varied public transport network this will require a range of transport solutions. This year, in addition to Hybrid technology we will also be introducing three hydrogen-fuelled zero emission buses for Dublin commuter routes and the National Transport Authority tender is live to source zero emission battery electric vehicles for the Athlone town service.  This will positively impact not only emissions but also air quality and noise in urban areas.

Driving Change the Bus Éireann Sustainability Strategy 2030 is available at www.buseireann.ie/Sustainability

Monday, 24th May, 2021