Bus Éireann Pilots Ireland's First Ever Natural Gas-Powered Bus

The Minister for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, TD, has officially announced Bus Éireann’s trial of the country’s first natural gas-powered bus in a move that may help reduce fuel costs and benefit the environment. 

The natural gas-powered city bus is operating across a number of city routes in Cork until August in a trial that will examine the potential fuel and emission savings from the vehicle, as well as its operational performance. The trial is being undertaken in partnership with Bord Gáis Networks.

The use of natural gas-powered buses results in significantly improved air quality in cities. Studies have shown that they reduce emissions such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur and soot, which affect health (especially heart and respiratory systems).  Natural gas-powered buses also provide significant savings in fuel costs.  In some European cities, reductions of up to 50 per cent in fuel costs are achieved compared to diesel.

Natural gas-powered buses are an established technology with over 320,000 natural gas-powered buses in operation globally in cities such as New York, Madrid, Verona and Barcelona. In addition, there are over 14.5 million natural gas vehicles (NGVs) being used worldwide.

The Eco-city bus from manufacturer MAN runs on natural gas and is refuelled through a refuelling unit based at the Bus Éireann Capwell Road depot in Cork.

The Minister for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, TD, welcomed the pilot. “This trial is an excellent initiative by Bus Éireann that has the potential to help towards the country’s target of 16 per cent of energy consumption coming from renewable sources by 2020 and increase our energy security. It is also great to see two semi-State companies working together on a project that could ultimately benefit communities and the country as a whole,” said Minister Kelly.

Travelling by bus and coach is already one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel and natural gas-powered buses have the potential to deliver further energy efficiencies. This pilot is one of a range of energy management initiatives that we are undertaking to help the environment and reduce our costs,” said Martin Nolan, CEO, Bus Éireann.

John Barry, Managing Director of Bord Gáis Networks “The use of natural gas as a transport fuel can bring great benefits, not only to the Irish transportation sector, but also to the local community in the form of cleaner air. This clean and cost-effective fuel is already being used on public bus systems in many cities in Europe so the benefits are proven. We are delighted to support Bus Éireann in this innovative trial. We believe there is a viable opportunity for natural gas-powered vehicles in Ireland and we are working with Bus Éireann and others to facilitate the development of a NGV industry.”

Following the completion of the trial, Bus Éireann will evaluate the performance of the vehicle and if it proves successful, the company will look to purchase gas-powered vehicles for use on publicly subvented services subject to funding being available.

Tuesday, 17th July, 2012