A prototype fuel cell electric double-deck bus will soon trailed with an in-service trial of the bus run by local service provider Metrobus on the company’s Fastway 100 service between Crawley, Gatwick Airport and Reigate.
Metrobus expects to follow this with an order for 20 single deck fuel cell electric buses to expand provision of zero-emission journeys and improve local air quality.
During the trial, the fuel cell electric powered double decker bus will operate alongside conventional low emission buses on the Route and will be refuelled at the Metrobus depot at Manor Royal Business Park. Metrobus is already running a zero emission electric bus trial on its Route 400 between Caterham, Redhill, Horley, Gatwick Airport, Manor Royal, Crawley and East Grinstead.
Gatwick has an established relationship with Metrobus to support innovation and encourage bus use within the local communities, including many employees working at the airport. Gatwick has also just increased its financial support for local bus services to help ensure that sustainable travel options operate during early mornings, evenings and weekends.
Nick Hill, Commercial Director, Metrobus, said, “We are delighted to be continuing our valued partnership with Gatwick Airport on this exciting project, by working together over many years, we have managed to ensure that Gatwick Airport, it’s workers and passengers enjoy amongst the best bus service connectivity of anywhere in the world and if our current funding bid to UK Government is successful, the airport will soon be benefiting from a zero emission bus service, serving the airport up to every 6 minutes, 24 hours a day”.
David Barnett, Business Development Director, Wrightbus, said, “Wrightbus are delighted to have been able to demonstrate the fuel cell electric bus at the Gatwick Transport Forum. Just a year ago Wrightbus joined Metrobus on stage at the Transport Forum to present the concept of the fuel cell electric bus and the benefits it can deliver. It’s a testament to the team that we have been able to bring the concept to reality and showcase the bus at the forum this year. We are looking forward by the upcoming trial and are excited to be working with Metrobus to bring zero emission public transport to Gatwick Airport.”
