New hydrogen powered buses driving a greener future in Surrey

A fleet of 34 new, hydrogen powered buses is set to hit the roads of Surrey this month! Surrey County Council is investing over £16 million to fast-track the introduction of zero-emission buses. These fully accessible vehicles are powered by green hydrogen and boast an impressive range of up to 600 miles. Passengers can enjoy a smooth, quiet ride equipped with free Wi-Fi, charging points, and community-style seating.In the coming weeks, 23 single-decker buses will be added to the service, followed by 11 double-decker hydrogen fuel cell buses expected during the winter months. The routes for these new buses will include:

Single Deckers:

• Fastway Route 100: Redhill – East Surrey Hospital – Salfords – Horley – Gatwick Airport – Crawley
• Routes 430 & 435: Merstham – Redhill – East Surrey Hospital – Woodhatch – Reigate

Double Deckers:

• Routes 420, 460 & 480: Epsom – Preston – Tadworth – Banstead – Sutton – Lower Kingswood – Reigate – Redhill – East Surrey Hospital – Salfords – Horley A23 – Gatwick Airport – Crawley

This expansion follows the introduction of 20 hydrogen buses in the Horley, Gatwick, and Crawley areas in 2023. The hydrogen powered buses are operated by Metrobus and manufactured in the UK by Wrightbus. Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, expressed his excitement: “I am thrilled that we have acquired these zero-emission buses in partnership with Metrobus, as part of our commitment to provide sustainable travel options for our residents and cleaner air for everyone.

This is fantastic news for Surrey residents and for all who travel in and out of our county.”He added, “We have also invested £6.3 million in ultra-low and zero-emission community transport minibuses, £9 million in bus priority measures to ensure timely service, and £1.4 million in enhancing passenger information at bus stops. Our Surrey LINK card offers young people half-price bus travel, and we’ve expanded our on-demand Surrey Connect bus services to reach areas with limited fixed routes, providing more travel options for all residents.”

Ed Wills, Managing Director of Metrobus, stated, “I am excited to announce the arrival of 34 brand new hydrogen buses to our Metrobus fleet. This marks a historic moment for both Metrobus and Surrey County Council, showcasing our joint commitment to reducing emissions in Surrey, where the only thing emitted from these buses is water.”“This initiative exemplifies effective partnership working, enabling us to make zero emissions a sustainable reality for the communities we serve.”