Translink has outlined its plans for the delivery of Zero Emission public transport in Derry and the surrounding North-West area.
The company participated in the recent annual North-West Future of Energy Conference, helping to promote the role of public transport in addressing the climate crisis.
The event, a joint initiative between Londonderry Chamber and Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council, aims to encourage cross-border collaboration in the energy sector to benefit the North-West region, as well as support local businesses in their sustainability drive and provide a platform for knowledge transfer and sharing to support sustainable economic growth.
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The event provided an opportunity for Translink to update on our commitment to the region and to provide a summary of ongoing plans for the delivery of Zero Emission public transport in the Derry area, as well as outlining additional investment plans. This includes the roll-out of a £30m+ investment in the complete replacement of the current Foyle Metro diesel fleet for a zero emission electric urban bus fleet by the end of the summer 2023. This is a major stepping stone in Translink’s plans to halve emissions by 2030 and operate a 100% Zero Emission bus and fleet across the entirety of the network by 2040, with Climate Positive status following by 2050.
Ian Campbell, Translink’s Director of Service Operations, who addressed the conference, said : ‘‘Translink is fully committed to Derry~Londonderry and the broader North-West region, ensuring a greener, better connected future for everyone.
"We are on track to deliver the Zero Emission project on Foyle Metro by the end of the summer 2023, introducing 38 locally-built double and single-deck vehicles meaning Derry~Londonderry will be one of the first cities in the UK and Ireland to have a fully zero emission bus network. This major project also includes investment in our staff and our facilities and the installation of new electric vehicle charging points at our depot in Pennyburn. In addition, more capacity will be provided, service timetables on Foyle Metro will be enhanced and a new contactless ticketing system introduced.
"We have invested £120m in the North-West’s rail infrastructure in recent years and our Net Zero plans will also centre on the North-West’s rail network, with feasibility studies underway to transition the NI Railways fleet away from diesel towards electric technology.
"In order to provide enhanced services, there will be a need to deliver the proposed major signalling and track renewal project known as Phase 3 to sufficiently upgrade the North-West rail corridor and deliver faster, safer and more frequent journeys. This will deliver the potential to introduce a half-hourly frequency between Derry~Londonderry and Belfast.
"Around 36% of households in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area have no access to a car, and a good public transport system is vital to connect communities to opportunities both near and far. We will continue to work alongside a wide range of stakeholders to develop enhanced public transport connectivity, frequency and capacity, helping to make Derry~Londonderry, and the whole North-West, better connected."
Anna Doherty, Chief Executive, Londonderry Chamber, added: “It was excellent to have Translink participate in our recent North-West Energy Conference. Public transport has a key role to play in the future of energy and decarbonising our economy and wider society and is one of the key areas of focus for the North-West Regional Energy Strategy. This year’s conference was a welcome and timely opportunity to discuss solutions to tackle the climate crisis and reduce energy costs for businesses currently. Translink is doing stellar work in the field of sustainability and decarbonisation, particularly in the North-West with a planned zero emission fleet of buses for the local region.”
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