ADL wins contract for Liverpool City Region hydrogen bus fleet
Alexander Dennis won the contract to supply 20 hydrogen double-deck buses to the Liverpool City Region following a competitive tender process. The vehicles will be directly purchased through the Liverpool City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund, and, in common with new trains for the Merseyrail network, they will be publicly-owned.
The new buses will be part of ADL’s new generation of H2.0 hydrogen vehicles, which are designed to be more energy efficient to cover greater distances between refuelling.
The hydrogen fleet will initially serve the City Region’s busiest route – the 10A between St Helens and Liverpool city centre, jointly operated by Arriva and Stagecoach. The combined authority says that, subject to final agreement, the first vehicles could be delivered in 2022.
The hydrogen bus project is a key part of the Metro Mayor’s ‘Vision for Bus’, which commits to using the powers available through devolution to build a better, more reliable and affordable bus network for the City Region. Further plans also include the building of hydrogen refuelling facilities, which will be the first of their kind in north west England, due to begin later in the year.
Steve Rotheram, metro mayor of the Liverpool City Region, says: “Eighty-two per cent of all journeys on public transport in our region are taken by bus and this new fleet will give people a clean, green and comfortable way to get about.
Reforming our bus network is a massive part of my plan for an integrated London-style transport network that makes traveling around our region quick, cheap and reliable.
“We want to be doing our bit to tackle climate change and improve air quality across the region too.
“These buses will be a really important part of making that happen. Alongside the hydrogen refuelling facilities we’re building in St Helens and some of the other exciting green projects we’re investing in, our region is leading the Green Industrial Revolution.”
ADL president & managing director Paul Davies, adds: “With its investment in this new fleet of hydrogen buses, the combined authority has chosen the latest in clean technology for the Liverpool City Region. We are delighted they have put their confidence in ADL to deliver their green agenda.”