[Article] NI firm wins Bus Éireann contract

Victor

http://www.rte.ie/business/2007/0405/wright.html

NI firm wins Bus Éireann contract
Thursday, 5 April 2007 18:42

A Co Antrim firm has won a €11.5m contract to supply 48 single-decker buses for Bus Éireann.

The buses will be going to Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

The Ballymena-based Wright group will also supply Dublin Bus with a prototype hybrid electric double decker vehicle.

AdvertisementThe Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, said the deal was an example of how a new relationship of respect and understanding could promote economic prosperity in Northern Ireland while benefiting the island as a whole.

Aquavid

Now, the interesting thing about all the hoo-hah yesterday, was that you would swear that no Northern Ireland firm had ever been allowed to supply buses to the republic before. RTE on their news even went so far as to intimate that thanks to recent political development, Wrights would now be "able" to bid for CIE tenders.

In point of fact, Wrights have been selling single-deckers to Bus Eireann for 10 years, and their buses are found over most of the country.

Dublin Bus had also been a customer, with 72 delivered between 1999 and 2001 (including the artics).

Also, the majority of the Dublin Bus fleet in recent years (all double-decks from 1990 to 1999, most in 2000, and all in 2001-2003) were built in Northern Ireland, production only switching to Scotland when Transbus went belly-up and closed the NI factory.

The really noteworthy, newsworthy part of this is the hybrid double-decker.

To quote my own posting from another place, below are the details of this:

---

The bus is based on the VDL DAF DB250 double-deck chassis.

The engine compartment is divided into three sections:

* Lithium Ion batteries - 2 x modules of 30 batteries, which can be individually removed and serviced.

* 1.9L diesel engine

* Auxillary Pack (electric motor driving compressor & hydraulic pump)

The bus drives at all times from the batteries, which are charged both by the diesel engine and by regenerative braking. Considerable reduction in both noise and emissions comes from the fact that the engine is not only much smaller than a normal bus engine, but also mostly running at a steady speed the charge the batteries.

Batteries are air cooled, inverters and motor are water cooled.

Range is "similar to a conventional diesel bus".

Tfl have an identical bus currently in service on london route 141, aim to have 10 hybrid double-deckers in service by the end of this year, 40 in 2008, and all new buses hybrids by 2012.

Volvo are also close to launching their own hybrid design.

(above from an extensive article in CBW issue 773, March 21 2007).


Wrights say the following:

"An equally significant announcement was also made by Mr Cullen during his visit as the Minister also confirmed that, with his support, Dublin Bus has agreed with Wrights to supply a hybrid electric double deck vehicle, describing it as a move “to advance the sustainable agenda within Dublin Bus.”

The Wrightbus Pulsar Gemini HEV will be the first high capacity vehicle fitted with hybrid technology to go into operation in Ireland and has a similar specification to the vehicle currently undergoing long-term evaluation in London with TfL. Based on a VDL Bus DB250 glider chassis, it is powered by a Siemens series hybrid drivetrain with lithium ion batteries. It has a 64 seated passenger capacity plus 18 standees. In addition to environmental benefits, the electric driveline ensures quiet acceleration, significantly reduced noise levels, whilst providing a smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers".


Aquavid

Victor

You should see who was signing the contracts ... oops actually they weren't.

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=8986&lang=ENG&loc=2126

Transport Minister Martin Cullen TD visits Wright Group of Ballymena - announces €11.5 million contract to supply 48-single deck city buses to Bus Éireann


5 April 2007

Transport Minister, Mr Martin Cullen, TD, today (Thursday 5 April 2007) visited the Wright Group's bus operation in the Galgorm Industrial Estate, Ballymena, County Antrim. This visit follows an Irish Congress of Trade Unions' (ICTU) sponsored meeting between the Minister and worker representatives from Wrights in January this year. The Minister toured the premises of the Group, which is the largest independent bus-building company in Western Europe and met with both staff and management. Founded in 1946, the Wright Group has pioneered low floor buses in the UK and employs almost 900 personnel. Among the local dignitaries present for the factory visit were the Right Honourable Dr Ian Paisley, MP for North Antrim and future first Minister and Mr Ian Paisley Junior, MLA. The Deputy Mayor of Ballymena, Councillor Maurice Mills was also in attendance. Those visiting the coach-building firm with Minister Cullen during his two-hour visit included Mr Tim Hayes, Chief Executive of Bus Éireann and Mr Joe Meagher, Chief Executive of Dublin Bus and Mr David Begg, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Speaking today, Minister Cullen said: "I am delighted to meet Dr Paisley and his son, Mr Ian Paisley Junior, here today at the Wright Group in their home town of Ballymena."

The Wright Group has supplied buses to markets in North America, Asia and mainland Europe. The Minister said: "I believe that practical North/South co-operation can benefit us all. There are many areas in which we can do business to advance the economic agenda, to the advantage of North and South. There is real potential for significant purchasing contracts to service our need for new buses. We are in the business of buses - and I'm delighted to see you tendering for the supply of buses in our market". The Minister said: "I am happy to announce today that Bus Éireann will purchase 48 single deck city buses from you which I understand are to be delivered by the end of this year. The value of the contract is €11.5 million". The Minister also confirmed, with his support, that Dublin Bus has agreed with Wrights to supply their first prototype a hybrid electric double deck vehicle, "to advance the sustainable agenda within Dublin Bus." The Wright Group has taken the lead in the development of a range of passenger transport vehicles which feature environmentally friendly advanced hybrid engines.

Minister Cullen added: "As the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern has said, this announcement is an example of where our new relationship of respect and understanding will promote economic prosperity and development in Northern Ireland, as well as benefit the island as a whole."

The Minister said that both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have further orders coming to the market and he wished Mr Mark Nodder, Managing Director, Wright Group, every success in; "building a good commercial relationship with both companies and in the bidding process". Under Transport 21, the Government's investment programme for transport, and the National Development Plan, a total of €770 million is provided to fund bus investment up to 2015.

In relation to further economic development, Minister Cullen said: "A key issue for us all is economic development in both parts of the island. We have committed over €580 million (£400 million) to the Financial Package for Northern Ireland announced by Chancellor Brown last month.

"Our contribution will be targeted at a major infrastructure investment programme for Northern Ireland to upgrade selected road links. We are also jointly contributing with the British Government, to an innovation fund for Northern Ireland to help stimulate collaborative Research and Development on the island."

Minister Cullen concluded: "These developments represent the kind of practical co-operation which can bring significant social and economic benefits to communities in both parts of the island".

Editor's note: The Irish Government is investing, through the Department of Transport over €131 million in cross border road projects this year. These include the A1/N1 Newry to Dundalk Link Road; the N2/52 Ardee Bypass; the N2 Ashbourne-M50 project; the N2 Slane Bypass; the N2 Monaghan Bypass; the N2 Carrickmacross Bypass; the N2 Castleblaney Bypass; the N3 Virginia Bypass; the N3 Belturbet Bypass, the M3 Clonee-South of Virginia Scheme; the N14 Lifford/Strabane project and the N15 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Bypass and the N15 Bundoran/Ballyshannon Bypass.

antoinolachtnai

What is the ride like on those hybrid buses? Much vibration?

Aquavid

London have only had theirs in service for a couple of weeks, but according to CBW Mag

"Although no figures were available for noise levels, it was noticably quieter, both in operation and at standstill.

It was also apparent - and confirmed by the driver - that the drive characteristics of an electric motor are eminently suitable for bus use, being particularly smooth from a passenger's point of view"

Aquavid
(Irish Correspondent of CBW (Coach & Bus Week), but not the author of the article quoted above)

Zoney

Well they had completely electric buses in the past, the trolley buses. In fact, were some of these even hybrid to allow them travel on "dark" roads?

I would have thought it elementary that the hybrid bus would perform better, it's just that it's more expensive to buy is it not? I'm all in favour of the less cheapskate options, but people shouldn't have to express wonder at actually getting something better when you spend more money.

antoinolachtnai

Well, these are still somewhat experimental vehicles, no? Also, performance on the open road?

Chris_533976

New buses for Cork?


wow

Wishbone Ash

Aquavid wrote:

Wrights have been selling single-deckers to Bus Eireann for 10 years, and their buses are found over most of the country.

Dublin Bus had also been a customer, with 72 delivered between 1999 and 2001 (including the artics).

Aircoach/First have also used them on their car park contracts. (PS - do Wrights only do Volvos?)

Aquavid

No, they also build on DAF/VDL, Dennis, Scania chassis, however Volvo seems to be the firm favourite for citybuses in the Republic.

BE do have 20 DAF SB120 with Wright Cadet bodywork, mostly used on rural commuter services.

Aquavid

E92

I'll start off first by saying that while I've absolutely no interest in buses,(though I've noticed anytime recently that I've had the misfortune of using a bus in Cork recently you can hear the bus about a mile before it arrives(another reason to use the car;) )) since I like cars an awful lot(too much for my own good perhaps) I don't see anypoint in Dublin Bus having a hybrid bus. In the car industry,we know that hybrids like the Toyota Prius have been shown in some surveys to be actually worse to the enviornment than a gas guzzling 4X4(from the day of manufacture to the day of hitting the scrapyard), because hybrids cost a fortune to make and require enormous amounts of energy to make the batteries etc. Hybrids have sold well because people feel that they are reducing their 'carbon footprint' and because the celebs turn up to things like the Oscars in them(of course I believe what really happens is that they get driven in big 6 litre Mercs and Hummers and Ferraris and then a few hundred yards before they arrive they switch to the Prius so that they can be seen to be eco conscious AFAIK). Presumably this is true with this new bus(that it is actually worse for the enviornment if whole life costs are included, not just the time the bus is on the road). Again I dont know, but I'm only saying

antoinolachtnai

Well, it is a diesel engine rather than a petrol engine, which ups the efficiency somewhat. You are right though, the battery replacement charges over the life of the vehicle are going to equate (at least financially) to the savings on fuel.

The thing about this type of hybrid that's neat is actually the smooth ride. One of the reasons why people like the Luas (although they often can't put a finger on it is the smooth electric-driven ride. If you can find a way to do a smooth or smoother ride on a bus, you could be on to something for encouraging people to switch to the bus.

Capt'n Midnight

E92 wrote:

I don't see anypoint in Dublin Bus having a hybrid bus. In the car industry,we know that hybrids like the Toyota Prius have been shown in some surveys to be actually worse to the enviornment than a gas guzzling 4X4(from the day of manufacture to the day of hitting the scrapyard), because hybrids cost a fortune to make and require enormous amounts of energy to make the batteries etc.

A petrol hybrid, is no nett improvement on diesel.

A diesel hybrid on the other hand has a better fuel economy, possibly enough to offset the extra material used in it's construction. Buses also last longer than cars and there is no doubt that a city bus will have a higher milage and have more stop/starts than a car. Regenerative breaking isn't a cure all, you loose much/most of the energy in the electrochemical changes and voltage conversions. Compressed air with a turbine on the drive shaft has been used too. maybe a electric motor/generator flywheel could be used for the regeneration in future as it's efficiencies are in the 90's

dowlingm

couple of points on hybrid diesel buses:

1. they usually have a smaller engine than their non-hybrid equivs so quieter.
2. the stop-start nature of urban buses is ideally suited to hybrids unlike motorway driving where little or no benefit is gained.
3. Prius batteries have been lasting a bit longer than design life - I read about a Prius taxi recently that's gone about 200k without a battery change. The longer hybrid batteries last in service the more it mitigates environmental impact.

Toronto are deploying singledeck LF buses at present, batch 1 is 150 units in 2007 with 224 and 140 coming in 08 and 09. It would be over 200 this year except they couldn't afford to front up the extra capital cash (C$500k vs C$750k) so they had to buy some standard LFs too.