LibertyBus are teaming up with Mellor Bus and are delighted to present to the Island a state of the art zero emission bus, which will be on trial from 13 July for approximately 3 weeks.
Once the bus has arrived on Island and initial testing has been carried out the bus will be on display in front of the Royal Yacht on Thursday 13 July, between 10am and 2pm at the LibertyBus Driver Recruitment Day.
LibertyBus is looking for full-time bus drivers and part-time morning School Bus drivers to work on the LibertyBus network. They are also recruiting for a night cleaner / fueller to work with the team to get the fleet ready for the following day.
If you have a PSV licence (or a clean, standard driving licence and are over the age of 21*) and have a real passion for providing outstanding customer service to the travelling public, they would love to see you at the event on Thursday.
This is also a chance for anyone who has thought about becoming a bus driver the chance to meet the team and discuss the opportunities within LibertyBus and to see what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of a state of the art ‘Electric’ bus to get the perspective on the size of vehicle you would be driving on the roads of Jersey.
After the Recruitment Day, the bus will be put on local services for the next few weeks so that the public of Jersey can have their view on the latest technology bus.
LibertyBus will be analysing data on energy consumption charging requirements and manoeuvrability on the Island bus routes. The vehicle is fitted with electric air conditioning, providing passengers with excellent comfort throughout the year
The bus; ‘The Sigma 8’ is built by manufacturer Mellor Bus and is a fully zero emission electric bus and is one of a range of vehicles supplied by Mellor.
The Sigma battery-electric bus range includes six models, from 7 to 12-metres, with GVWs from 9 to 19 tonnes, and passenger capacity from 31 – 80. Sigma represents one of the largest ranges of low-floor battery-electric buses from any manufacturer in Europe; a zero-emission, zero-compromise public transport solution, from a trusted, UK bus manufacturer.
The vehicle is electrically driven, using a single drive motor which is powered by CATL 210 kWh batteries. This means that the vehicle can complete over 160 miles on a single charge. The batteries have industry leading battery safety fitted as standard. Charging can be completed using 2 x DC charge guns, allowing compatibility with other electric vehicles. The vehicle can be fully charged within 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Richard Matthews, sales director at Mellor commented: “Our Sigma range of buses are not only sustainable and electric, but they are tried and tested. The narrow width of 2.35m of the 8.7 metre long Sigma 8 and the 9.4 metre long Sigma 9 means they can navigate the narrow or constricted routes of the Channel Islands with ease and has ample capacity for up to 60 passengers.
“We believe our Sigma range of buses have huge potential to play a significant part in the island’s efforts to improve its public transportation. These trials are a significant moment for Mellor as we look to expand our bus offering in the Channel Islands.”
Commenting on the trial, Kevin Hart, Director for LibertyBus said: “We are excited about trialling the electric bus on the Island. The Mellor Sigma range are great little buses and we can’t wait to trial the bus on the network and share the results of the trial with the Government of Jersey. On Thursday 13 July between 10:00 and 14:00 the bus will be on show outside the Weighbridge and we invite the community of Jersey to get on board and take a look at the zero emission bus. We will then be using the bus in service over the following few weeks to get a true picture of the compatibility to the Island’s roads.”
