A bus, using locally produced green hydrogen, starts trials in Bridgend
A HyBont hydrogen bus has been trialled with bus operator First Cymru as part of a two-week pilot to offer a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel buses in Bridgend
The bus has been travelling from the First Cymru depot in Brynmenyn Industrial Estate across three routes.
The hydrogen fuel cell bus has already appeared in the town – it was used to shuttle spectators between Bridgend train station and Royal Porthcawl golf club during the Senior Open golf tournament.
On top of that, a hydrogen fuel cell car running has provided users of Bridgend Community Transport with essential services such as transportation to doctor appointments and hospital visits.
Bus drivers have been trained to use the vehicles, including learning how to refuel them at Hyppo Hydrogen’s depot in Neath Port Talbot.
The Welsh Government has a target for all Wales buses to be zero emission by 2028.
Marubeni Europower, the company bringing forward proposals for the HyBont green hydrogen project in Bridgend, is supporting the bus trial.
Tomoki Nishino, CEO and President, said: ‘Hydrogen fuelled buses offer a practical solution for communities to decarbonise public transport and immediately improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. These trials are great news for Bridgend as they could lead the way for cleaner public transport.’
David Thomas, First Cymru’s Operations Manager, said: ‘The bus has proved popular among both our drivers and passengers. Our colleagues have spoken about how lovely the bus is to drive with it being very responsive on hills and tackling some of the more challenging routes with ease, which is great in the Cymru landscape, and passengers love the fact it’s zero emissions and that it is so much quieter, allowing them to talk to fellow passengers without shouting.’
Chris Foxall, CEO of Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions, the hydrogen services provider based in South Wales that has deployed the bus, said: ‘Hydrogen buses like the one used in this trial have a huge positive benefit to people living locally. A similar trial was carried out in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot recently with very positive results and we look forward to seeing hydrogen buses rolled out across the region in the near future.’
Pic: ©2023 Marubeni/Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions
