Stagecoach confirms £2.1m investment in Dundee and Angus bus fleet

News stories are free to read. Click here for full access to all the features, articles and archive from only £8.99.

Stagecoach has confirmed as of Monday, October 10, the order of seven electric-hybrid double-deckers which will operate on the 20 and 21 bus routes as in 2017.

The Volvo B5LH hybrids are powered by Euro 6 engines and fitted with the new ADL Enviro400 MMC style bodywork and boast a range of features such as Lazzerini Evoke E-leather seating, free WiFi access and USB charging points for passenger comfort.

£300k of the investment will be contributed by the Scottish Government’s ‘Scottish Green Bus Fund’ – which helped support the 18 electric hybrid buses on the 73 route between Dundee and Arboath.

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “We’re committed to improving public transport in Angus and Dundee and I am therefore delighted to announce our further investment in the fleet for this area.

“Our fleet in Dundee was the first public transport operator in Scotland and one of the first in the UK to be awarded five stars as part of the EcoStars fleet evaluation project.

“These new vehicles will complement our existing 18 electric-hybrid buses already in the area, helping reduce our environmental impact and hopefully encourage more customers to opt for our greener, smarter travel.”

The Scottish Green Bus Fund has so far assisted with the purchase of 269 low carbon emission buses across Scotland for a number of bus operators and aims to support environmental projects and developments within the public transport industry.

The fund has already supported the introduction of 18 electric-hybrid buses back in 2015, which are currently running on the Tayway 73 route between Dundee and Arbroath.