A nationwide first for town bus service as it goes electric later this year

Athlone looks set to be part of a major transport first later this year after it was confirmed that the town bus will go fully electric – the first in the country to do so.

The news comes hot on the heels of a newly lodged planning application for charging equipment needed for the vehicles at Bus Éireann's Athlone depot and maintenance centre along Southern Station Road.

Lodged on January 17 last, Bus Éireann is seeking approval from Westmeath County Council to press ahead with the construction of a new ESB substation and Bus Éireann electrical building and associated ductwork to facilitate the charging of new electric buses on a 0.8482 hectare site.

A spokesperson for Bus Éireann said this project is being funded and the vehicles procured by the National Transport Authority (NTA), in collaboration with Bus Éireann, which operates the Athlone town bus service

“Bus Éireann recently lodged planning applications with Westmeath County Council as part of preparations to install the necessary charging equipment in our Athlone depot for the electrification of the town bus service.

“The Athlone town bus fleet will transition to fully electric later this year and will be Ireland's first fully electric town bus service,” the spokesperson added.

Athlone's bus fleet going fully electric by the end of 2022 was first revealed in the government's Climate Action Plan, published last year. The electric fleet makes up one of the plan's 2022 deliverables, which has an overall aim of achieving a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

Last November, the National Transport Authority confirmed that the design of eleven battery-electric single-deck buses destined for Athlone town services were well advanced.

It said the interior of the bus with 27 seats and a capacity for 75 people, has been configured to maximise passenger flow and accessibility, while also incorporating both a wheelchair space and a dedicated area for the accommodation of at least one unfolded pram/pushchairs/buggy.

Planners in Westmeath County Council are expected to give their verdict on the proposal for the charging infrastructure to enable a fully electric town bus fleet in Athlone by February 20 next.