A partnership between Metrobus (Go Ahead), West Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council, Kent County Council and London Gatwick has won a bid for funding to launch a new fleet of 43 hydrogen powered buses.
Our Conservative Government through the Department for Transport, has awarded the partnership over £10 million, which combined with £11.6 million from Metrobus (Go Ahead) and almost £3 million from the other partners brings the total for the project to over £24 million.
We are proud that West Sussex County Council is the lead partner. Cllr Joy Dennis, our Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said:
“Not only is this great news for West Sussex, but it’s great news for the region that we have been successful in our bid for funding and can progress with the rollout of 43 new hydrogen powered buses across the counties.
“This exciting project is another example of our drive to offer low carbon transport options in line with the West Sussex County Council Plan’s theme of protecting the environment, and our priority of developing a sustainable and prosperous economy.”
The buses will operate across a wide area of Sussex, Surrey and Kent to connect rural areas with local towns and London Gatwick. Destinations will include Burgess Hill, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Worthing, Brighton, Caterham, Dorking, Redhill and Tunbridge Wells.
Buses are one of the most sustainable ways to travel. Hydrogen buses release zero emissions at the tailpipe, helping to reduce carbon emissions and create cleaner air for everyone. When fully operational, it will be one of the biggest fleets of hydrogen powered buses in the country and the only one operating in rural areas.