Irizar ie tram fleet for Go-Ahead London makes debut
In a long-awaited move, Irizar e-mobility and Go-Ahead London have confirmed that 20 ie tram single-deck battery-electric buses along with related charging infrastructure are due for delivery soon to convert Transport for London (TfL) route 358 to zero-emission.
They will enter service in 2023 and be charged via two 450kW inverted pantograph-based units placed at the Crystal Palace and Orpington termini. 100kW depot chargers capable of replenishing two buses simultaneously at 50kW each are also on order, all to be supplied by Irizar Group subsidiary Jema Energy and with the inverted pantograph units to be installed by EO Charging.
A first ie tram for Go-Ahead London has been completed by Irizar and it will be displayed at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham between 1-3 November. The manufacturer says the type’s tram-esque design and airy internal approach “makes it stand out from other buses.”
The opportunity charging approach means that onboard battery storage is optimised to maximise passenger capacity. Fitted is a single-piece front door combined with a full-width centre two-piece installation.
Opportunity charging between trips will take “less than five minutes.” A short depot-top up will be delivered after running off service.
Speaking about the pending delivery, Irizar e-mobility Managing Director Inigo Etxeberria says: “We are delighted that Go-Ahead London, the capital’s largest bus operator, has chosen our technology. This is clear testament to the confidence placed in our products, and proof of their quality and reliability.
“London is investing heavily in sustainable public transport solutions and we are honoured for Irizar e-mobility to play a part in this goal. Our technological race continues, and this operation will see our company launching the first super-fast charging route in London, complying with the high standards set by TfL.”
Opportunity charging has already been introduced by Go-Ahead London on a batch of BYD ADL Enviro400EV double-deckers. Go-Ahead London first operated battery-electric buses from Irizar in 2015, when it took delivery of a pair of i2e models.
In describing the extension of the concept to servicee 358 with the Irizar ie tram fleet, TfL says that the 15-mile route requires opportunity charging to convert to zero-emission, as depot battery replenishment would give insufficient range for completion of a full operating day.
Euro Bus Expo will be held between 1-3 November at the NEC Birmingham. Register for free tickets here. Irizar e-mobility will be on stand A10.
Katie Johnson joins First Travel Solutions senior team
Managed transport service provider First Travel Solutions has appointed Katie Johnson to the newly created position of Business Operations Director.
Ms Johnson joins from E.ON Energy, where she spent 14 years in senior operational and strategic roles including change leadership, digital operations and customer services. With First Travel Solutions she will be focused on improving the business’s operations as it continues to grow “to deliver the best experience for staff, clients and customers."
First Travel Solutions was recently awarded rail replacement contracts for the Avanti West Coast train operating company. Ms Johnson will be heavily involved in delivery of that work.
Speaking about the news, First Travel Solutions Managing Director Andy Scholey says: “After a quiet 18 months during the height of COVID-19 with many festivals, conferences and sporting events cancelled or closed to spectators, we took the time to look inward at our business and identify what we needed to take it to the next level.
“The newly appointed role of Business Operations Director means that we can utilise Katie’s award-winning customer service experience skills and change management knowledge to deliver the best solutions to our clients.
“We have several projects being delivered at the end of 2022 and into 2023 that Katie will ensure are created and managed with customer experience at the heart of them.”
Adds Ms Johnson: “I am delighted to be joining First Travel Solutions at such an innovative time for growth in this sector. First Travel Solutions is on a rapid growth trajectory to provide the best managed transport solution in the UK and I am ready to take the team to that next level in the excellence of operational delivery.”
Strong leadership key to securing £47m for bus services in Derbyshire
Strong leadership and BSIP buy-in from operators has helped Derbyshire County Council secure £47m
Managing Director of Trentbarton and Kinchbus Jeff Counsell, and Deborah Oddy, Head of Transport and environment at Derbyshire County Council, came together at the Masterclass Theatre at Euro Bus Expo on 2 November to discuss how they managed to secure £47m of funding through the Derbyshire Bus Service Improvement Plan.
Excellent attendance at meetings, including from Cabinet Member Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, and buy-in from all operators in the region, has been key to the success of the Partnership, according to Mr Counsell and Ms Oddy. That attendance has allowed operators involved in the discussions to raise issues, such as around road work and traffic management, that have been dealt with by experienced council leaders.
Mr Counsell says that the partnership already had a good basis thanks to good relationships between bus operators in the region and the Derbyshire Public Transport Authority. “For 24 years that I have been with Trentbarton, we have had regular dialogue and meetings with officers and directors of the county, talking about bus services, so we are starting with a foundation that has always been really strong.”
He argues that collaboration has been successful due to commitment, time, and effort between all operators in Derbyshire, with customer focus at its core. “As an independent bus operator, the last thing we wanted was regulatory control,” he admits. “We did not see any need for statutory instruments to help us provide better services. We had a history of voluntary partnership which was very successful. But needs must, and we were as an industry forced down the line of Enhanced Partnerships, so our view turned to one of finding what was best for our customers. At the end of the day, the National Bus Strategy should be about improving the lot for customers.”
Capability and competence from experienced people has meant the Partnership is highly regarded by the Department for Transport. Adds Ms Oddy: “It was clear to me that the BSIP and the Enhanced Partnership had very strong leadership that created partnership, and as we all know, in those partnerships we have to invest a lot of time. It’ s challenging at times. But we’ve taken those difficult conversations and met them head on as a body and, as a board, addressed those issues.”