28 Irizar ie tram are set to operate on Kent’s Fastrack service in UK (operated by Go-Ahead)

Irizar e-mobility announced on Linkedin that it going to supply 28 e-buses within a second BRT project in UK. In collaboration with Go Ahead London, the Spanish OEM is set to roll out a fleet of 28 Irizar ie tram (12-meter version). This initiative is part of the innovative Fastrack service provided by Kent County Council (KCC).

Kent County Council Fastrack service with Irizar buses

Similar vehicles are already in operation on Go-Ahead London routes in south-east London: Irizar e-mobility and the operator have indeed signed a contract to supply 20 buses and related charging infrastructure to electrify route 358 in south London, the first ultra-fast opportunity charging route in the capital. Chargers are to be provided by Jema Energy (Irizar Group).

Go-Ahead London division will operate the Fastrack service from November 2024, as reported in mid 2023. Existing buses will replaced with a zero emission fleet on the network, which runs in the Dartford, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet and Gravesham area.

According to the information shared at the time of the awarding of the contract to Go-Ahead, buses on the Fastrack service are set to be powered by inverted electric pantograph technology and equipped with leather seats, USB chargers, Wifi, braille buttons, luggage racks and real-time passenger information.

The buses will feature “the appearance of a tram and minimalist design, will represent a radical change in the image of the city’s service”, Irizar says.