NTA issue tender for +/- 600 Hybrid Buses

GM228

Probably worthy of it's own thread as these won't be limited to DB.

The double deck Hybrid buses tender has been issued:-

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders/ViewNotice/215834

Interesting that the NTA published a press release regarding the tendering of the electric/hybrid rail fleet and have (so far) issued nothing in relation to the bus fleet.

The Framework Agreement is intended to permit the purchase of double-deck diesel-electric hybrid buses from the Supplier during the period of the Framework Agreement. It is envisaged that up to 600 buses may be purchased under this Framework Agreement. However, the Contracting Authority reserves the right to purchase a lower or higher amount of buses or not to place any purchase orders under the Framework Agreement.

The Framework Agreement is intended to permit the purchase of double-deck diesel-electric hybrid buses from the Supplier during the period of the Framework Agreement. It is envisaged that up to 600 buses may be purchased under this Framework Agreement. However, the Contracting Authority reserves the right to purchase a lower or higher amount of buses or not to place any purchase orders under the Framework Agreement.

The buses to be provided under the Framework Agreement are intended to:

• be double-deck vehicles with a minimum of 40 seats on the upper deck, a minimum of 17 seats (not including longitudinal tip-up seats) on the lower deck and an overall capacity (including standees) of 70 passengers or greater, subject to the vehicle length not exceeding 11.50 metres;

• be equipped with a chassis incorporating a low-floor section within which the following are located:
- a wide front entrance doorway fitted with a twin-leaf door and a motorised ramp suitable for unaided wheelchair access;
- a dedicated wheelchair space, which can be easily accessed from the front entrance doorway ramp;
 a dedicated buggy space, which can be easily accessed from the front entrance doorway ramp; and
- a wide centre exit doorway fitted with a twin-leaf door;

• conform to EU/UNECE Vehicle Category M3 and belong to UNECE Class I;

• be designed for both seated and standing passengers;

• be suitable for use on city and suburban routes with frequent passenger stops;

• be suitable for travelling on mixed roadways at speeds of up to 65 kilometres per hour;

• meet the relevant definition of a ‘clean vehicle’ under the European Union’s (EU’s) forthcoming revised Directive on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (a.k.a. the ‘Clean Vehicles Directive’), which is anticipated to enter into force from mid-2021 onwards;

• be capable of zero-tailpipe-emissions operation, in order to leverage the air quality benefits of zero-emission vehicles in advance of the roll-

bk

Above link is broke, here it is:

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders/ViewNotice/215834

This bit is interesting:

be capable of zero-tailpipe-emissions operation, in order to leverage the air quality benefits of zero-emission vehicles in advance of the roll-

Some hybrids vehicles have a button you can press, that means they can operate by battery only for 1 or 2km (or 40 to 50km for plug-n hybrids).

Could come in handy in the core city center, to deal with objections to buse being routed down different streets.

magicbastarder

it would be an interesting piece of technology to fit to the buses, to install an air quality meter which would enable/disable that mode if it enters a polluted area.
whether there'd be a significant benefit to it would remain to be seen however.

bk

magicbastarder wrote: »

it would be an interesting piece of technology to fit to the buses, to install an air quality meter which would enable/disable that mode if it enters a polluted area.
whether there'd be a significant benefit to it would remain to be seen however.

You could do that with GPS, enable it when you enter the core city center.

LeinsterDub

bk wrote: »

You could do that with GPS, enable it when you enter the core city center.

It would need to be smarter than that . Would need to factoring current battery levels , demands on the battery etc. Probably too much effort.

GM228

LeinsterDub wrote: »

It would need to be smarter than that . Would need to factoring current battery levels , demands on the battery etc. Probably too much effort.

Most vehicles with stop/start technology have this to monitor if the battery health is good enough to enable the stop/start process. There would be no issues and little effort integrating into the Hybrid setup.

bk

GM228 wrote: »

Most vehicles with stop/start technology have this to monitor if the battery health is good enough to enable the stop/start process. There would be no issues and little effort integrating into the Hybrid setup.

Though I'd think it would work better with plug-in hybrids with 20 to 50km of battery range, then basic hybrids with just 1-2km range.

Stephen15

be double-deck vehicles with a minimum of 40 seats on the upper deck, a minimum of 17 seats (not including longitudinal tip-up seats) on the lower deck and an overall capacity (including standees) of 70 passengers or greater, subject to the vehicle length not exceeding 11.50 metres;

Surely that should say 95 passengers. Why are they allowing buses compete that can only take 70 passengers that's 25 less than SG. Assuming of course size of the bus will be considered when choosing the winning tender.

bk

Stephen15 wrote: »

Surely that should say 95 passengers. Why are they allowing buses compete that can only take 70 passengers that's 25 less than SG. Assuming of course size of the bus will be considered when choosing the winning tender.

I'd assume so.

What is the capacity of the three currently be trialled? I'd assume it will be one of those and I'd assume it wouldn't be too difference to the SG's

Stephen15

bk wrote: »

I'd assume so.

What is the capacity of the three currently be trialled? I'd assume it will be one of those and I'd assume it wouldn't be too difference to the SG's

I'd imagine the Wright bodied buses would be same as the SGs capacity wise not sure about the ADL one.

GM228

Stephen15 wrote: »

Surely that should say 95 passengers. Why are they allowing buses compete that can only take 70 passengers that's 25 less than SG. Assuming of course size of the bus will be considered when choosing the winning tender.

It's a minimum standard to be met, hence the "or greater", the same minimum spec was in the Pre-qualification Information Memorandum for the SGs/VWDs etc tender.

GM228

Note what I said in my OP:-

GM228 wrote: »

Interesting that the NTA published a press release regarding the tendering of the electric/hybrid rail fleet and have (so far) issued nothing in relation to the bus fleet.

Well the NTA have finally two months later issued a press release, apparently they "overlooked" the press release at time of tender issue, one wonders how?

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/nta-commences-procurement-process-for-600-hybrid-buses/

NTA COMMENCES PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR 600 HYBRID BUSES

12/07/19

New buses will be capable of zero-tailpipe-emissions operation, which is good news from an air quality point of view

NTA has commenced the procurement process for up to 600 double-deck hybrid buses, as a key element of the BusConnects programme. NTA intends to enter into a Single Supplier Framework Agreement for the buses.

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 Framework Agreement is intended to permit the purchase of double-deck diesel-electric hybrid buses from the supplier during the period of the Framework Agreement.

It is envisaged that up to 600 buses may be purchased under this Framework Agreement over a period of about five years. The first delivery could take place before the end of 2020.

While the EU’s revised Directive on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (a.k.a. the ‘Clean Vehicles Directive’) is not expected to enter into force until sometime in 2021, the NTA’s aim is to ensure compliance with the directive for all new city buses delivered from next year onwards.

As such, any bus proposed by a manufacturer for inclusion in this tender will be expected to meet the definition of a ‘clean vehicle’ provided for in the revised Directive.

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.”