Sixteen Euro 6 buses replace older Euro 5 buses

Sixteen Euro 6 double deck buses have arrived in Brighton & Hove to help improve air quality in the city.

The sixteen Euro 6 buses will replace the final remaining Euro 5 ‘bendy’ buses operated mostly on the route 25. The buses are currently being painted into Brighton & Hove fleet colours by the local team in the paint workshop at Brighton & Hove Buses in Conway Street, Hove. Once completed these vehicles will enter into service allowing more of the older articulated buses to be withdrawn from service.

The NOx limit for Euro 5 diesel vehicles is 180g/km. This has been significantly reduced to just 80g/km for Euro 6 diesel vehicles. This in turn reduces the amount of NOx released into the air. NOx has a negative impact on health so the less of it in the environment the better and especially for people with respiratory issues.

The buses will also have further internal configuration changes made to them to help improve accessibility for local passengers. This will include the removal of the automatic ramp and the creation of more wheelchair and buggy space. This work will be undertaken as soon as the necessary parts are available.

Managing Director of Brighton & Hove and Metrobus said “It’s with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to these buses that have operated on the route 25 for quite some time taking students to university and locals to and from the city. The buses are unfortunately getting old and vehicle parts are becoming harder to source. We have the opportunity to replace these buses with newer Euro 6 vehicles that are much better for environment and this of course if the right thing to do in our efforts to create better air quality in our city.

The bendy buses will all be withdrawn before the end of 2022 and we will ensure their last day of service is notified as far in advance as possible as we know there are a few fans of the bendy buses out there who may want to enjoy one last ride.”