They will be bought over a five-year period.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has commenced the procurement process for up to 600 double-deck hybrid buses as part of the BusConnects programme.
This process is part of the transition to low emission buses, including electric buses, for the urban public bus fleet, as provided for in Project Ireland 2040 and the Climate Action Plan.
The EU’s revised Directive on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles is not expected to enter into force until sometime in 2021, but the NTA’s aim is to ensure compliance with the directive for all new city buses from next year onwards.
It is envisaged that up to 600 buses may be purchased under a Single Supplier Framework Agreement over a period of about five years.
The first delivery could take place before the end of 2020.
An NTA spokesperson said:
“The new hybrid buses are expected to be at least 30% more energy efficient than current diesel-only buses, and as a result will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
“The NTA also intend that the new buses will be capable of zero-tailpipe-emissions operation. This capability, combined with the overall reduction in energy consumption, will contribute to an improvement in air quality in the Irish cities that will be served by these buses.”
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