Summer starts strong for Transdev: the company will operate France's first hydrogen electric bus line, which will connect Auchel to Buay-la-Buissière (Pas-de-Calais). Internationally, the Group has converted the try in Dublin winning the tramway operation and maintenance contract for 6 years.
The first electric bus line powered on hydrogen in France
Transdev and the Artois Gohelle transport union officially inaugurated the hydrogen station and presented the Businova electric hydrogen bus on 21 June. As from this summer, Transdev will operate the first electric bus line powered on hydrogen in France as a commercial service, with 6 buses on the high-level service bus line between Auchel and Bruay-la-Buissière. This 13.4 km line will save 530 tons of CO2 per year.
The transport industry accounts for around 22% of global energy-related CO2 emissions: transitioning to zero-emission (ZE) mobility solutions is a major priority for Transdev and the transport sector.
How do hydrogen and fuel-cell buses work? Fuel-cells are an onboard means of producing the electricity required to power an electric motor. This fuel-cell runs on hydrogen which, when combined with the oxygen in the air, produces the necessary electricity for traction. The only emissions produced are water and steam. The result is zero pollutants, zero particles, zero CO2 and zero motor noise for over 300 km of autonomy.
A converted try for the tramway in Dublin
Transdev won the agreement to operate and maintain the Dublin tramway for 6 years. Transdev Dublin Light Rail Limited has already operated this network since 2004 and has successfully renewed its agreement over the years. It will now also maintain this network. The network is comprised of 2 lines serving the Irish capital. The red East to West line (The Point-Connolly/Tallaght-Saggart) spans 20 km with 32 stops. The green North to South line (Broombridge/Brides Glen) is comprised of 35 stops spread out over 22 km. On average, 110,000 passengers are transported on this network everyday (42 million trips in 2018).
This strengthens Transdev’s position as world leader, operating 23 tramway systems in 8 countries. It follows the €330mn contract for phase 1 of the Parramatta tramway (Sydney, Australia) that Transdev won in January 2019.
