Crawley Metrobus begins testing of Wright Hydroliner fleet

The new Wright GB Kite Hydroliner buses will soon take to the streets for testing, ahead of their full introduction with Metrobus later this year.

A Scania Omnicity bus, which is currently in operation on the Fastway (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Metrobus operates routes in and around Crawley and Gatwick, where 20 of the futuristic vehicles will be based.

The hydrogen fuel cell buses, a first for the company, will be used on the unique Fastway route 10 serving Crawley, Gatwick Airport and Horley.

The route includes self-steering guided busways, exclusively for the Fastway buses, and priority at traffic lights, making it a busy and crucial route in Crawley's transport network. Last year, more than three million passengers travelled on the Fastway.

The Fastway busway is separated from the road (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Ed Wills, managing director for Metrobus said: “Fastway buses are some of the hardest working buses in our fleet with each travelling around 370 miles per day and operating at a frequency of up to every eight minutes, so it’s critical that these buses are trialled and tested before going into full service."

The single-decker buses are funded with money from the Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles (Jive) across Europe, plus investment from Gatwick.

Metrobus is part of the Jive scheme, which will see nearly 300 fuel cell buses deployed in 22 European cities.

All 20 of the new Metrobus Hydroliners are expected to enter operation in June and an inauguration ceremony is being planned.

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The introduction of the new buses also involves retraining hundreds of staff at depots where they will be based.

Shoreham environmental consulting firm Ricardo was employed to bring drivers, engineers and other staff up to speed with using the new systems safely, including a new hydrogen fuelling station currently under construction which will refuel buses directly from the depot.

Mr Wills added: Through the training with Ricardo’s team of chemical experts, we now have a detailed understanding and the confidence to safely manage the use of hydrogen within our operations. We’re excited that this hydrogen training will support us in the decarbonisation of the 60 million passenger journeys we deliver each year.”