The Go-Ahead Group has launched a fleet of hydrogen buses and an accompanying refuelling station to provide more sustainable passenger services in and around Gatwick Airport.
This 30 million GBP investment will see a fleet of 54 Wrightbus hydrogen buses deployed in the Crawley, Horley and Gatwick Airport area.
Initially, 20 hydrogen buses have entered service, while the remaining 34 vehicles are set to launch over the next 18 months. This deployment will then create one of Britain’s largest hydrogen bus fleets.
The single-decker GB Kite Hydroliner buses manufactured by Wrightbus are the first hydrogen-powered vehicles to join Go-Ahead’s fleet of more than 6,000 buses.
The buses will cover long ranges and carry heavy loads on routes around Gatwick, which operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive, London Gatwick Airport, said:Sustainability is key to everything we do and we’re proud to have contributed financially to these 20 zero-emission hydrogen busses. The route this new fleet serves is vital for passengers and airport staff travelling to and from work, including late at night and early morning.
The new fleet will be served by a liquid hydrogen refuelling station at the Metrobus Crawley depot, which is owned and operated by Air Products.
At full capacity, this facility is the largest of its kind for buses in Europe, capable of providing hydrogen for over 100 buses each day.
Christian Schreyer, Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group, said:These fantastic buses and the innovative refuelling depot demonstrate Go-Ahead’s commitment to investing in a net zero future for transport. We’re already the leading operator of electric buses in Britain and we believe hydrogen is a further piece in the jigsaw of decarbonising public transport – to the benefit of the environment and local communities.
