The Northern Irish Department for Infrastructure has announced an investment of nearly £100 million to deliver zero emission buses, as well as the required electric vehicle charging infrastructure for public transport.
The contract, worth £88 million, will see 100 new buses provided as part of a project to decarbonise public transport and reduce carbon emissions.
Infrastructure minister, John O’Dowd, said:
“Enormous strides have already been made to ‘green’ our public transport network with £98 million invested by my department since 2020 for the supply of over 140 zero emission buses for the Translink fleet and the associated electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
“I am delighted to announce a further investment of £88 million which will deliver an additional 100 zero emission buses and EV charging infrastructure for our public transport network. This investment will be fundamental in creating cleaner and greener transport as we seek to tackle to climate emergency and improve air quality across the north.”
This investment came on the same day that the delivery of greenways will also be supported by the Department of Infrastructure. Greenways encourage people to use forms of active travel as a way of improving health and wellbeing, as well reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking about the role of his department in the delivery of greenways, O’Dowd said:
“Given the climate emergency, it is important that more greenways are developed so that people are encouraged to walk, wheel and cycle rather than use other forms of transport to help reduce our carbon emissions and improve health wellbeing. The responsibility for greenway development rests with Councils and whilst much good progress has been made, I have decided that my department will take a greater role in the delivery of greenways to help push this work forward.”
