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CLEAN BUS TECHNOLOGY FUND
APPLICATION FORM
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Guidance for applicants is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/series/clean-bus-technology-fund. Applications should be emailed
to [email protected]by 17:00, Friday 19 July 2013.
If you need further assistance with the application process, contact the DfT Air Quality Strategy Team via email: [email protected].
Application Form for Clean Bus
Technology Fund
The Department for Transport (DfT) is inviting local authorities in England1 to apply for Clean Bus Technology grants of a maximum of £1,000,0002 towards reducing oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from local buses. The total fund available for this scheme is £5m.
Applicants should use this form to submit their proposals to DfT by 17:00, Friday 19 July 2013. Guidance notes have been published alongside this application form. These provide useful advice on how to develop and write a successful proposal and should be referred to when filling in this application form.
All applicants must confirm that they have secured commitment from at least one local bus operator to engage in the proposed project. Please check the box below to show that you have completed this requirement and provide the name of the bus operator(s).
I have secured commitment from at least one local bus operator: Name of local bus operator(s): Go North East
In addition, all applicants must confirm that they have received legal advice on EU state aid rules and that any financial restrictions with
respect to the state funding the upgrade of local buses will be met. Please check the box below to show that you have completed this requirement. I confirm that I have received legal advice on EU state aid rules which will allow the proposed project to proceed if successful:
This page has been completed by the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) of the proposed project3:
1
London boroughs are excluded from this scheme as DfT is currently part funding the modification of 900
London buses to reduce NOx emissions. 2
Local authorities can only bid once for a Clean Bus Technology grant of up to £1,000,000.
Please refer to the attached guidance before completing this form.
Section A. Applicant Information
A1. Local authority name(s). If the bid is a joint proposal, please enter the names of all participating authorities and specify the lead authority:
Gateshead Council (lead) Newcastle City Council
Nexus, Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive
Senior Responsible Owner name and position: Nick Clennett, Service Director Bid Manager name and position (first point of contact): Stuart Corker, Transport Planner
Contact telephone number: (0191) 433 3082 Email address: [email protected] Postal address:
Transport Strategy, Development and Enterprise, Gateshead Council, Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead, NE8 1HH
Website address for published bid (if applicable):
http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Transport%20and%20Streets/planning/Cleaner-Bus-Technology-Fund.aspx
A2. Please indicate if you are planning to outsource the project management either wholly or partially (if known at this stage):
Yes: Complete the form below. No: Go to Section B.
Name of organisation:
Project manager (first point of contact): Contact telephone number:
Email address: Postal address:
Section B. Project proposal
B1. Enter a brief description of your proposal:
The Gateshead Newcastle Greener Bus Pilot project involves the fitting of SCR technology to 21 buses on three bus routes in Gateshead and Newcastle. These services cover a wide geographical area, but come together in the urban core where existing air quality issues have been identified.
The health profiles of Newcastle and Gateshead are poor, showing that residents can expect to die earlier and/or experience poor health earlier than the England average.
Poor air quality has a significant impact on public health. It is the third highest cause of preventable deaths in England behind smoking and excess winter deaths. It is important therefore that we do all that is conceivably possible to improve air quality and improve the health and well being of Newcastle and Gateshead residents. In all, some 39,400 people live within 200m, and 56,200 people within 400m, of the routes involved.
Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council are inextricably linked through their geographical location and road network. Both Newcastle and Gateshead have declared Air Quality Management Areas
(AQMAs) due to exceedences of the EU Limit Value for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) annual mean and UK Air Quality Objective (AQO).
The primary source of NO2 in Newcastle and Gateshead is from road traffic. Any opportunities to reduce pollutants from vehicles should be pursued and retrofitting public transport buses with exhaust gas after treatment systems allows older buses to run cleanly and will have significant environmental, health & economic benefits for the area.
As part of the Low Emission Zone study that DEFRA commissioned Newcastle and Gateshead Local Authorities to undertake, Newcastle University modelled 9 different scenarios including a base 2010 scenario, a “Business as Usual” 2021 base scenario, and several Do Something 2021 scenarios involving the
implementation of a Low Emission Zone in Newcastle Gateshead. The
scenarios were based upon changes in traffic composition and modelled using the existing strategic transport model for Newcastle and Gateshead.
The study found for the 2010 base year that buses appear to be the dominant source of NOx. In the AQMA areas the contribution from buses appears to be around 37-45%.
The study also found that for 2021 scenario where the Euro 6/VI regulations were assumed effective it was found that general fleet turnover and renewal over the 2010 to 2021 period, coupled with emissions improvements in other sectors, lead to an approximate 45% reduction in mean NO2 concentrations for receptor points in Newcastle City and Gateshead AQMAs. This reduction by
itself is sufficient to significantly reduce the chances of exceedence of the National Air Quality Standard for annual mean in those areas by 2021.
The installation of the SCR abatement equipment on the buses as outlined in the grant application will bring forward the compliance deadline and mean that the fleet will bring forward the improvements necessary to comply with the EU limit values on nitrogen dioxide and reduce current AQMA exceedences.
B2. Fit with other bids:
Tyne & Wear was successful in bidding to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. The 'Schools Go Smarter' initiative covers the whole of the area, and a number of schools are served by the routes included in this proposal. The 'Go Smarter to Work' encourages sustainable travel to key employment generators (including Team Valley, central Newcastle & Gateshead) as a means of tackling congestion on the A1. Again these locations are served by the routes included in this proposal.
The proposal also complements Green Bus Fund investment in hybrid vehicles on key links in both Newcastle and Gateshead. It is also supported by
investment from the Better Bus Areas Fund which is being used to improve bus movements out of Gateshead Interchange.
Services 93/94 and 97 will benefit from junction improvements at the north end of Team Valley which has recently been secured through the Local Pinch Point Fund.
Newcastle City Council and NE1 were awarded £4.95m from the Regional Growth Fund in late 2012 to improve access to and the area around Central Station. This links to Network Rail and East Coast’s project to improve the inside of the station. Service 98 provides a link to Central Station
Section C. Proposed technology
C1. Describe the proposed NOx abatement technology for your scheme.
The bid partners propose that 21 Euro 3 buses will be retrofitted with SCR technology. This established technology will reduce NOx and NO2 emissions by up to 85% and 70% respectively and will also reduce harmful particulate matter by approximately 95%. Ammonia slip catalysts are installed on the systems being proposed.
The systems have been trialled extensively by TfL and several major London operators and the effectiveness and overall system reliability has been proven during these trials. The trials have taken place on a heavily congested London route and have been proven to deliver emission reductions in demanding urban conditions. TfL are subsequently rolling out the installation of 900 euro 3 buses
with SCR technology, installations are imminent if not already commenced. SCRT delivers immediate results at reduced cost when compared to alternative emission reduction methods and technologies, it will enable us to target more vehicles and have a bigger impact on air quality within the selected AQMAs.
C2. Describe the expected environmental impact of the chosen technology in terms of emissions reductions.
The figures set out below are taken from tests on a Volvo B7 vehicle carried out at the Millbrook Vehicle Emissions Laboratory as part of a TfL trial. They offer a very good general representation of SCRT performance. The trial
demonstrates that the systems in use are delivering excellent results in real world conditions.
Baseline (g/km) After Retrofit (g/km)
NOx 11.05 1.41
NO2 0.45 0.14
PM 1.141 0.016
CO2 1351.4 1404.3
Assuming an average annual mileage of 59,100 miles per bus (94,560km) Baseline (kg) After Retrofit (kg) Change
NOx 1044.9 133.3 -87%
NO2 42.6 13.2 -68%
PM 107.9 1.5 -99%
CO2 127,788.4 132,790.6 +4%
In relation to the CO2 figures, by fitting a CRT (particulate filter) fuel economy can be reduced, in turn increasing emissions.
Section D. About the local buses
N.B. Questions in the table below with asterisks (*) are mandatory.
D1. * In total, how many buses do you expect to modify?
21
Bus types (make and model): Scania L94UB Name of engine manufacturer (of each type,
if known):
Scania
* Estimated average annual bus mileage: 59,100 * Expected change in annual bus mileage as
a result of vehicle modification:
Nil
* Will the modification extend the lifetime of the buses? If so, how long for?
No
Number of single-deckers: 21
Number of double-deckers: Nil
* Estimated cost of purchasing and fitting technology per bus:
£16,500
* Estimated additional operating
costs/savings (including fuel) per bus over five years:
£4,000
* Estimated additional maintenance costs/savings per bus over five years:
£3,000
* DfT funding sought per bus (i.e. excluding other contributions):
£16,500
D2. Geographical area, bus routes and bus operator(s):
The proposal covers the heart of urban Tyneside; taking in the regional employment, shopping and leisure hub of Newcastle City Centre and the recently redeveloped Gateshead Town Centre. Both are designated as Air Quality Management Areas.
It also covers a number of residential areas across Gateshead and major employment and education centres in Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead Quays and East Gateshead. The routes also take in Metrocentre, Gateshead Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and a number of local centres.
The bus routes to be upgraded are
Service 93/94 running every 15/20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes serving Gateshead - Gateshead College - Gateshead Stadium - Heworth - Felling Square - Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Low Fell - Team Valley - Bensham - Gateshead
Service 97 running every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes, serving Newcastle, Gateshead, Bensham, Lobley Hill, Whickham & Metrocentre Service 98/98A running every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes, serving Newcastle, Dunston & Whickham
The routes and corresponding AQMAs are shown on the plan included as Appendix1.
The services are operated, and the vehicles owned, by Go North East, regional subsidiary of the Go Ahead Group.
D3. Level of CO2 emissions and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) ambient
concentrations:
Newcastle and Gateshead have four air quality management areas where the ambient Air Quality Directive concentration limit values for nitrogen dioxide exceed an annual mean concentration of 40 µg/m3. Gateshead Town Centre AQMA annual mean levels of NO2 range between 24 - 47 µg/m3. The
Newcastle AQMA covers the City centre and Quayside areas and the average levels of nitrogen dioxide are in the range of 33 -73 µg/m3.
DEFRA commissioned Newcastle and Gateshead Local authorities to
undertake a low emission zone study. The study found for the 2010 base year buses appear to be the dominant source of NOx, accounting for over 70% of emissions in the AQMA areas.
We found that for 2021 that general fleet renewal, coupled with emissions improvements in other sectors, lead to an approximate 45% reduction (≈10 – 15 µg/m3) in mean NO2 concentrations for receptor points in Newcastle City and Gateshead Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). Hot-spot areas with excessively high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide may remain.
The grant for the installation of the SCR abatement equipment on the buses will enable us to deliver emission improvements earlier than 2021.
Detailed monitoring data is included as Appendix 2.
D4. Describe your future plans for use of the modified buses.
Go North East has a policy of branding buses to a specific route and all of the 21 vehicles included in the project are branded to their current route. A small number of these vehicles have already been refurbished internally and the operator will extend this programme to the remaining vehicles within the next 12 months, extending their operational life. Notwithstanding unforeseen
circumstances, it is the operator's intention that the vehicles will remain on their current route.
Should the vehicles be moved to alternative routes, the hub of Go North East operations on Tyneside is central Newcastle and Gateshead, and the majority of services in the area serve either (and often both) of the local AQMAs.
Section E. Project and financial governance
E1. Project and risk management:
Gateshead Newcastle Cleaner Bus Pilot
The project will be implemented using the Council’s approved project management framework. This includes establishing clear governance arrangements and accountability. A project board, involving all partners, will monitor progress and manage risks. The board will report on progress in line with the section E2.
A number of the project milestones focus on the technical delivery side of the project but on-street monitoring will continue to assess the success of the project and the impact on end-users. The cost of this monitoring is included as match funding for the project.
The technology involved in the project significantly reduces particulate matter emissions and controls ammonia concentrations.
Project Timeline:
Project Element Proposed Completion
Funding confirmed September 2013
Procurement & Planning - start September 2013 Procurement & Planning - end Mid October 2013
Order placed Mid October 2013
Installation planning vehicle remedial works
January 2014
Fitting commences Early February 2014
Testing & approvals Mid February 2014 Final approvals & sign off Mid March 2014
Vehicles operational End March 2014
Key Milestones:
Milestone Date
Order placed Mid October 2013
Vehicle fitting commences Early February 2014 Final approvals & sign off Mid March 2014
Vehicles operational End March 2014
12 Week Vehicle Emission Tests June 2014 On- street monitoring report Ongoing
Key Risks:
Risk Mitigation
SCR Technology unavailable for these types of vehicles
Early engagement with potential suppliers has revealed that the technology is available.
No response to invitation to tender Early engagement with potential suppliers has demonstrated interest. Returned tender price in excess of
funding awarded
Early engagement with potential suppliers has provided a range of cost estimates and the amount of funding requested reflects those estimates. In any case, the project is potentially scalable.
Returned tender price lower than funding awarded
Action to be negotiated with DfT. A potential extension to the project has been identified
Delays in delivery and/or fitting delays vehicle deployment
The process will be closely monitored and managed by the project board.
E2. Progress report:
The requirement for a progress report is noted and welcomed. As well as monitoring the delivery of the on-bus technology, the project will also seek to monitor its success through the 12 week vehicle emission tests carried out by Go North East and continued on-street measurement of pollutants impacts of the project
Results will be published on the Gateshead Council website.
E3. Sharing best practice:
The project partners are happy to share the outcomes of the project with other Local Authorities and operators etc. We would be keen to become involved with any information-sharing grouping of successful authorities.
The project board prepare a case study for the project as ongoing monitoring results become available.
E4. Contributing to Government Growth Agenda:
The scheme will improve the public transport offer on main routes between outlying residential areas and the regional employment and service centre of the Newcastle/Gateshead urban core. Congestion on these routes is one of the main transport barriers to the future economic success of the urban core, and is predicted to increase significantly in future. The proposals will similarly improve
the public transport offer to regionally significant employment areas in Newcastle City Centre and Team Valley Trading Estate.
As a result the proposals will support: - economic growth and job creation;
- improved access to major job, education, learning and leisure opportunities; - a better quality of life through:
- reduced emissions from transport;
- a more attractive, effective and sustainable public transport network. Importantly the economic, environmental and accessibility objectives of the scheme are complementary and self reinforcing. As such they reinforce strongly the aim of Policy 14 of the draft LEP transport strategy. The high public
transport mode share associated with central area development mean that the potential exists to create a ‘virtuous circle’ of additional economic activity linked to high levels of public transport use.
E5. Outsourcing:
Supply and fitting of the SCR technology will be outsourced to a specialist provider. The provider will be appointed through a competitive procurement process once funding is secured.
N.B. Questions in the table below with asterisks (*) are mandatory.
E6. * Total DfT funding contribution sought (up to £1,000,000):
£346,500
E7. * Total estimated cost of outsourcing and operational costs (£):
£346,500
E8. If applicable, local authority contribution (£):
£215,000
E9. If applicable, other contribution (e.g. bus operator) (£):
£147,000
Section F. Supporting evidence
F1. Please use this space to provide any additional evidence for your proposal. (Max 500 words)
A letter of support from the Gateshead Director of Public Health is attached as appendix 3.
A letter of support from Go North East will be supplied directly. Tyne & Wear ITA Perspective:
The Tyne and Wear ITA and its partner authorities recognise the hazards to health and the heightened risk of premature death that poor air quality can contribute towards. Our key transport policies are designed to mitigate these risks by encouraging carbon-free movement on foot and by bike, reducing the need to make journeys by car, and promoting the use of public transport, including buses.
We understand however that in terms of NOx emissions, buses can be part of the problem, and therefore welcome the opportunity that the Clean Bus
Technology Fund offers in terms of providing a practical and quick solution that improves local air quality and enables otherwise serviceable and accessible vehicles to continue to play their part in increasing the proportion of trips made by public transport.
The ITA's Bus Strategy highlights the cost to the economy in health and
productivity terms that poor air quality can cause, and prescribes increased bus use as part of the solution; therefore the cleaner buses are, the easier it will be to tackle this problem. One of the deliverables of the strategy is to set improved environmental standards for the bus fleet, and the retro-fitting of technology through this bid will be a tangible means of achieving this.
The Tyne and Wear approach to tackling air quality also reflects the principles adopted within the 2011-21 Local Transport Plan, and the 2013 Tyne and Wear Air Quality Delivery Plan. The LTP addresses the challenge of reducing the social and economic costs of transport to public health through measures such as continuing to work with bus and fleet managers to encourage the uptake of low emission vehicles. In turn, the Air Quality Delivery Plan sets out a range of practical measures aimed at improving the current situation, including Measure 8.2 which proposes the upgrading of bus fleets in AQMAs and future AQMAs. Bids from the Tyne and Wear area therefore reflect the ITA’s commitment towards improving air quality, by ensuring that harmful emissions from buses are reduced to as low a level as possible across the conurbation.
