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Watt's happening to Irish buses

Public Transport By Jonny Phair, Associate, Structural Engineering – 13 January 2025

Two Dublin buses in movement on an Irish street

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Johnny Phair in a pale shirt in the Dublin office with a brick wall background

Jonny Phair

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The public transport sector in Ireland is going through a revolution. Following the National Transport Authority (NTA) announcing the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, Climate Action Plan, and the National Sustainability Mobility Policy Action Plan, the time for decarbonising and designing sustainable transportation options has never been more essential. As a responsible multi-disciplinary engineering and design consultancy, we wanted to support this and play a significant role in the introduction of electric buses. Here is how we did it:

The NTA is aiming to replace 85% of its fleet in Dublin with zero emissions buses by 2032 and to be fully zero emissions by 2035. To date, the new green fleet in Dublin includes 341 electric (EV) buses in service or on order with these replacing the old diesel vehicles which are approaching the end of their service life.

Our involvement started in May 2022 when Hitachi Energy Ireland approached us for the turnkey installation of a fleet EV charging system for the first two sites in Dublin.

The first such scheme was for Dublin Bus in Summerhill Depot which concluded with the installation of facilities for 56 Electric Buses and was opened in November 2023. This was followed closely by Phibsborough with a capacity for 80 buses with a further 20 currently being installed on site and nearing completion. We are also currently on-site at Harristown Depot, Dublin with 40 chargers ready for use in Q2 2025. Charging infrastructure for 70 buses has recently been completed for Bus Eireann in Roxboro Depot in Limerick which was split over two phases.

Ehouse in Phibsborough depot

Ehouse in Phibsborough depot

Ehouse in Roxboro depot

Ehouse in Roxboro depot

When embarking on large-scale projects like these, it's essential to take a step back and reflect on the key lessons learned. These insights have helped future phases and projects run more smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that our teams are better prepared to tackle challenges and make informed decisions. Here are some valuable lessons we gathered:

Early planning is crucial

Before jumping into the technical details, it's important to clearly understand the client's requirements. Crucial to this project is the power demands and how they stack up against the current infrastructure. We also had to gain an understanding of how each depot operates and the vision for operation in the future. Early identification of these requirements saves time and helps avoid costly changes later in the project.

Flexibility in design matters

Projects like these although electrical requirements are key, they also require a lot of civil and infrastructure work, from laying underground cables and junction boxes to constructing substations and E-houses. One critical lesson we learned was the importance of flexibility in design. For instance, through the projects we switched foundation solutions for our E-House buildings. This change allowed for better airflow and more adaptability in cable management entering the building. Being open to design changes as the project evolves can lead to better outcomes.

Continuous coordination and communication

With a complex project, it’s vital to keep communication lines open and coordinate every step carefully. Keeping the depots operational during construction required meticulous planning. We had to phase our work to minimise disruption, ensuring that ongoing operations and simultaneous projects weren’t hindered. Continuous communication with all stakeholders helped us navigate these challenges effectively. This also led to additional elements of work to facilitate continuous operation which included the construction of a car park, yard lighting, and site-wide linemarking.

Large areas of the concrete yard allow ducting trenches and junction boxes for pulling cables

Large areas of the concrete yard allow ducting trenches and junction boxes for pulling cables

Cable ducting system to various pedestal chargers

Cable ducting system to various pedestal chargers

Electric bus behind a pedestal charger in Summerhill depot

Electric bus behind a pedestal charger in Summerhill depot

Adapting to new operational needs

Transitioning from diesel to electric buses required a shift in how the depots operated. Unlike the old system, where buses were centrally fuelled and parked, the new setup required buses to be reversed into designated charging spots. This change meant retraining drivers and reevaluating the yard's layout, including conducting lux studies to ensure proper lighting for safety. Adapting to these new operational needs early on was crucial for a smooth transition.

Learning from feedback

It's important to learn from each project and carry those lessons forward. On the initial projects, we received valuable feedback from the client, contractors, and operators, leading to changes in our approach for the future phases. Being open to feedback and willing to adjust based on past experiences is essential for continuous improvement.

Expect challenges

No project is without its challenges. We faced a range of issues across the various sites which included H&S considerations, temporary works, lighting, a historic watercourse, and planning delays, but these hurdles are part of the process. What matters most is how the team comes together to overcome them. The hard work and problem-solving involved in tackling these challenges ultimately made us a stronger, more cohesive team.

Row of EV buses in Roxboro depot

Row of EV buses in Roxboro depot

We currently have more chargers at various stages of conception or design across three depots, so the future looks green for the Irish public transport sector!

It’s great having cleaner, and quieter buses in Ireland. Seeing the EV buses around Dublin and Limerick is a constant reminder of the design work we have undertaken and our role in the journey to a greener future for Ireland.

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