City's hydrogen bus return faces further delay

It was hoped the buses could return to operation in the summer

The reintroduction of Aberdeen's hydrogen bus fleet is facing a fresh delay, with no firm date set as to when it will return to operation.

The 15 vehicles have been off the road for over a year following problems with fuelling stations.

The buses, which are owned by Aberdeen City Council (ACC), but operated by First Bus on its city network, have been out of action since September last year, after technical problems at the city's two fuelling stations, at Kittybrewster and Cove.

It was hoped they would return in the summer but the local authority does not yet know on what date they will be able to take passengers again.

In April, ACC said that while the buses were being refurbished, it hoped new mobile fuelling facilities at Kittybrewster and the First Bus King Street depot would allow the buses to return in the summer.

A new Hydrogen Production Hub is now fully completed at TECA, near Aberdeen International Airport.

An ACC spokesperson said: "The buses have been off the road due to a lack of hydrogen supply.

"Prior to being back in operation, the buses will require to undertake some testing as part of a recommissioning process.

"Recommissioning works are underway on the fleet with road testing expecting to commence within the coming weeks."