Bus Eireann's electric city bus fleet to start in Limerick, Ireland

Source: Irish Sun

DUBLIN, Ireland: Limerick's streets will embrace a new era of tranquility with the introduction of an electric bus fleet.

These eco-friendly vehicles, comprising 55 battery-electric buses, will soon grace the roads of Limerick city.

Thirty-five charging stations strategically located at Bus Eireann's depot in Roxboro will power the double-decker buses. This initiative is part of a substantial 54 million euro investment by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The new service was officially launched on April 12 at Limerick's Colbert Station, presided over by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD.

The NTA's investment is a testament to the remarkable growth experienced by Bus Eireann's Limerick city services, with passenger numbers witnessing double-digit year-on-year increases. In 2023 alone, Bus Eireann facilitated over 44 million passenger journeys nationwide, with Limerick accounting for 4.6 million of those journeys, marking a significant 15 percent surge (equivalent to 600,000 additional journeys) compared to 2022.

In anticipation of the all-electric service, Bus Eireann drivers and mechanics have undergone an extensive training program totaling more than 500 hours, covering various aspects, including driving techniques, maintenance procedures, and fleet operation.

This initiative follows the successful launch of an electric bus fleet in Derry City in August 2023 and Ireland's inaugural all-electric town service in Athlone in January 2023.