Following on from the launch of an all-electric park & ride fleet, Leicester City Council has now introduced zero-emission buses to its Hospital Hopper service
A fully electric bus service has been launched to provide sustainable transport on routes connecting Leicester’s three main hospitals. The new Hospital Hopper service has been revamped, including replacing diesel vehicles with a fleet of Yutong E12 electric buses, with features such as free USB chargers and passenger information screens.
The service is being operated in partnership with the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), and bus operator Centrebus as part of the Leicester Buses Partnership. The Hospital Hoppers will become part of the new Greenlines electric bus network, which already serves all three park & ride sites in the city.
Launched at Leicester’s Jubilee Square on Thursday 23 June, the buses began operation on 27 June, serving Leicester General Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, the city centre and Glenfield Hospital.
There will also be new bus shelters together with real-time information displays at all stops, and in due course the service will use a new bus lane which is being installed along part of the route.
The buses and associated features for the UHL-funded Hospital Hopper have been financed by the council’s successful Transforming Cities Fund bid made to central Government.
Leicester’s deputy city mayor for transport and the environment, Councillor Adam Clarke, said: “The launch of these new fully electric buses is another big step forward in improving public transport in the city, while also striving to meet the demands of tackling our climate emergency. Passengers will be able to take advantage of free USB chargers, new and improved service information panels and a quieter, more pleasant journey.
“Creating and expanding upon this Greenlines network over the next eight years will make a huge improvement to the city’s air quality, cutting emissions and making high-quality public transport accessible to all.”
The Leicester Buses Partnership aims to introduce a network of 30 ‘frequent, reliable, affordable and easy to use’ electric bus routes over the next eight years.
Centrebus director David Brookes added: “The new Hospital Hopper electric buses will provide an improved journey experience for our passengers whilst reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the city. Passengers will be able to make use of enhanced features such as USB charging ports, digital information screens and next stop announcements. We’re proud to have worked in partnership with the city council and the hospital trust to deliver this project and we look forward to further electrification of our fleet later this year.”
The vehicles were supplied by Pelican Bus & Coach. Ian Downie, Pelican’s Head of Yutong, commented: “The additional four vehicles supplied will further enhance the passenger experience for Leicester residents. The state of the art vehicles are all fitted with full air-conditioning, and not only travel with zero-emissions, but are also whisper quiet in operation. It is a testament to the Council and local bus operators that their bus partnership is being implemented so quickly, with 15 Pelican-supplied vehicles in service already.”
