Adelaide Metro goes greener for trains and buses

The South Australian government is aiming towards its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 through trials of greener public transport options.

The state, which still utilises diesel suburban trains on some lines and diesel buses is trialing diesel hybrid trains on Adelaide suburban rail lines that are not yet electrified.

While Adelaide’s busiest rail lines to Seaford, Flinders and Gawler are electrified, trains on the Belair, Outer Harbor and Grange rail lines, as well as the Port Dock spur line now under construction are not.

The state has commissioned transport experts Ricardo Rail to explore zero emission options for traditional electrification via overhead wires and emerging technologies such as battery and hydrogen power.

The trial of the state’s first two diesel hybrid railcars which recover excess energy when the train brakes and stores it in a battery for later use will commence soon.

The battery is also to be used instead of the diesel engine to supply auxiliary power for lighting and air-conditioning at the under-cover train platforms at Adelaide Railway Station to reduce noise and emissions.

Diesel hybrid trains are more reliable and release less fumes than traditional diesels and reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent according to the government.

The announcement from Adelaide Metro, which is part of the state government but contracts private companies to run its services, disappointed some observers.

Some members of the current government had previously championed the use for hydrogen fuel cells for converting its diesel railcar fleet.

In other developments the state has partnered with GHD and Evenergi to find the most efficient and effective transition plan to reach zero emission by 2050 for Adelaide Metro buses and bus depots.

Bus operator, Torrens Transit is starting a two-year trial of two Foton Mobility hydrogen fuel cell buses (pictured) which rely on a fuel cell to charge the bus battery and power its electric drive motor.

The buses will be on Adelaide streets soon according to the government.

The state is also testing its first Scania battery electric bus which is expected to enter service late August.

Picture: Adelaide Metro