Go-Ahead Group subsidiary Metrobus has announced a livery and brand overhaul, including fleet name application. It follows the scheme for Fastway routes centred on Crawley that debuted with the first round of ongoing investment in hydrogen fuel cell-electric buses.
The change represents the first workover for Metrobus since 2015. Renderings of the livery demonstrate how it “makes reference to the hydrogen brand in both its design and colour palette,” the operator says.
Metrobus adds that the change “aims to link the new designs of Fastway hydrogen buses with the overarching Metrobus brand while also retaining the Metrobus hydrogen colours.” A spokesperson has confirmed that the new identity will also be applied to diesel buses.
While the long-established use of blue and yellow base colours that dates to Metrobus’s days as an independent operator is retained, computer generated images of hydrogen buses in the new livery show a reversed green ‘sash’ towards the rear.
The revised brand and livery will serve as “a huge step” in unifying the existing schemes as the operator advances towards achieving Go-Ahead Group-wide targets that include a fully decarbonised bus fleet by 2035 and net-zero business status by 2045.
Further hydrogen fuel cell-electric buses are to join the Metrobus fleet in 2025, with 11 Wrightbus StreetDeck Hydroliner double-deckers due as part of a wider procurement.
The operator adds that rework of its logo to accompany the new colour scheme utilises “an emboldened, impactful and accessible font” and incorporates “the livery colours – including the angular yellow segment that has been adopted by the Metrobus ‘M’.”
Speaking about the change, Managing Director Ed Wills says: “As we work towards achieving our net-zero targets by investing in hydrogen, it is important that our brands reflect that.
“This refresh makes our Metrobus brand more consistent with the current Fastway liveries on our hydrogen buses and serves as a visual representation of our commitment to sustainable travel.”
