New electric buses will continue Coventry’s Electric Bus City plans
Stagecoach Midlands is set to put 64 new electric buses on the road, reports Steven Knight. The investment is part of a commitment to run zero-emission buses on all of its services linking Coventry to surrounding areas in Warwickshire.
The commitment by Stagecoach is a major step forward for the Coventry Electric Bus City scheme and is part of a £140m project to create the UK’s first truly all-electric bus town or city. Once all the buses are in service it will mean that more than 200 buses, 80% of all those operating within and travelling into the city of Coventry, will be electric, battery powered vehicles.
Stagecoach Midlands is currently taking delivery of 31 Enviro400EV double-deckers from Alexander Dennis and 33 Yutong E12 saloons from Pelican Bus & Coach. These will enter service over the next few months as new charging facilities are completed at depots in Nuneaton, Leamington Spa and Rugby. All of the new buses are expected to be in service by the spring. Once operational it will mean that around a third of the buses operated from its Warwickshire depots will be electric.
Passengers will enjoy smoother, quieter journeys as well as top-spec facilities including USB charging, free WiFi, high-spec passenger information systems and enhanced wheelchair and buggy space.
To help make sure that every bus in Coventry is zero-emission, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), was awarded £50m of funding from the Department of Transport. This has unlocked more than £70m of investment from bus operators and a further £20m of funding from TfWM and Warwickshire County Council.
Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker said: “These new buses will make a big difference to the way people get around in Coventry. They’ll mean greater comfort and convenience for passengers and cleaner air for pedestrians and cyclists to breathe. Coventry Electric Bus City is just one part of our plans to create a greener, more affordable and more reliable bus network which better serves the people of the West Midlands.”
Coventry City Council, a partner in the scheme, is also installing bus priority measures to support the roll out of the fleet, part of wider transformation of the city’s bus services through improved journey times and reliability.
Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director, said “We’re thrilled to be announcing this investment of over £33m on these 64 electric buses and the supporting infrastructure at our depots. This investment demonstrates Stagecoach’s
confidence in the region and is evidence of us delivering our ambitions to transform bus services for the communities we serve.
“These buses mark a massive moment for the region as we take a huge step towards modernising our service. They will provide customers with more comfortable journeys and contribute towards cleaner, quieter neighbourhoods and a public transport system that is more sustainable and efficient.”
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “It’s fantastic to see Stagecoach and TfWM roll out 64 electric buses in Coventry, taking the city another step closer to a fully zero-emission bus fleet, supported by £50m investment from Government. The new electric buses are a great vote of confidence in our mission to decarbonise transport, and our Buses Bill will empower local leaders to take back control of buses and deliver the modern, sustainable and affordable bus services local communities deserve.”
The electrification of the city’s bus fleet will see a huge cut in carbon emissions, the equivalent to taking 14,000 cars off the road, and a reduction in air pollution. Cllr George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council, added “We’re delighted to be another step closer to being the first major city or town in the country to boast a fully electric bus fleet. Once the project is complete, Coventry residents will benefit from much cleaner air, with the obvious benefits of better health for young and old alike while the city will be served by some of the most modern buses in the UK.”
Cllr Jan Matecki, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for transport and planning, said: “The new electric buses being provided through the Coventry Electric Bus City project will serve a variety of routes and communities in Warwickshire, including Warwick, Leamington, Rugby, Nuneaton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bedworth, and Kenilworth. This is a huge step forward for sustainable transport in our region, offering cleaner air and a quieter environment for everyone.
“As set out in the Warwickshire Bus Service Improvement Plan, we remain fully committed to our vision to work in partnership with bus operators to boost use, increase passenger satisfaction and make public transport a more attractive and cleaner option for residents. This investment will play an important role in achieving these goals and will help us reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for Warwickshire.”
In addition to the 64 electric buses which are part of the Coventry Electric Bus City project, Stagecoach Midlands will also introduce a further 27 electric single-deck buses into its fleet as part of a successful Government Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 funding deal with Warwickshire Country Council.
