Transport companies have announced the routes on which Europe’s biggest fleet of hydrogen buses will be operating in Aberdeen.
The green vehicles will soon begin carrying passengers as part a city council-led project.
Stagecoach will operate six buses on its X17 city centre to Westhill route, while First will run four on the X40 Kingswells to Bridge of Don park and ride service.
Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing said: “The route announcements today are a clear commitment by the companies to bring these buses into public service in the very near future, once they have completed their driver training and the hydrogen refuelling station is fully commissioned, and I am quite sure the travelling public will be as excited as I am to have the opportunity to travel on these buses.”
“These buses will not only help us to realise Aberdeen’s aspiration of becoming a world-leading city for low carbon technology, but also to maintain our position as a leading world energy city, while improving the city’s environment and city centre air quality.”
The £19million hydrogen bus project has the backing of the UK and Scottish governments, and has also secured European funding
It is the most high-profile of a range of projects designed to create a hydrogen economy in the city
Stagecoach North Scotland managing director Steve Walker said: “We very much look forward to introducing these new state-of-the-art vehicles to our customers and to making our bus fleet even greener.”
First Aberdeen managing director David Phillips said: “The hydrogen-powered vehicles will be a fantastic addition to the city and will help support our ongoing efforts to improve services and encourage more people to swap the car for the bus.”
A hydrogen re-fuelling station at Kittybrewster will service the fleet.