Stagecoach’s gas bus network in Lincoln has come to the end of the road.
Operated by Stagecoach East Midlands, the bio-methane project was
launched in May 2011, but has now reached a “natural conclusion.” Two
buses have already been taken out of service.
Stagecoach says the project has been technically successful and
proved itself as a test bed for gas bus operation providing valuable
engineering and operational data. However, without further “significant
investment” the operation is not economically viable.
Using 11 converted Optare Solo buses, with a peak vehicle requirement
of nine, the Lincoln project saw the buses on city routes 4, 5, 7 and
8.
The failure to secure funding for a permanent gas station at the
company’s Great Northern Terrace depot, Lincoln, is cited as the reason
for the end of the project.
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Without a permanent gas refuelling facility, with bio-methane delivered by pipeline, the fuel
has continued to be delivered by road on adapted trailers. This was
initially a temporary solution, but without funding towards permanent
depot infrastructure, it means the project has become uneconomic.
Diesel-powered Optare Solos will now be cascaded into Lincoln from
other Stagecoach companies to allow all 11 bio-methane buses to be taken
out of service. Stagecoach says the displaced Solos will be put up for
sale, rather than being converted back to diesel power.
The Lincoln project was launched with £260,000 funding in May 2011
with contributions from Lincolnshire County Council, East Midlands
Development Agency and Stagecoach. There was a further £100,000 grant
for depot works.
When launched the buses were dual-fuel, starting on diesel and then
switching to bio-methane operation. At the time it was said bio-methane
would cut emissions by 40%.
During late 2013, with £231,000 from the Government’s Cleaner Bus
Technology Fund, the 11 Solos were converted to full bio-methane, but
there were some technical issues with engine performance which saw the
buses sidelined for several months. They were eventually put back into
service late last summer.
