Alexander Dennis has completed the delivery of 18 Enviro400 double-deck and 10 Enviro200 single-deck low-emission diesel buses to Go South Coast, part of the Go-Ahead Group. Ten of the double-deckers are being used to upgrade the operator’s flagship Bluestar 1 route between Winchester and Southampton, where it hopes the new buses will help to generate further passenger growth, alongside higher frequencies and night buses delivered in partnership with Hampshire County Council using Bus Service Improvement Plan funding from the UK Government. Four further 10.9m Enviro400s will join an existing example operated by the company’s Salisbury Reds division in and around the cathedral city, while the remaining three double-deckers have joined the Morebus fleet in Bournemouth and Poole.
Eight of the new Enviro200s are 11.8m long with 41 seats and have been deployed on the company’s Bluestar 9 route along the western shore of the Southampton Water estuary, while the remaining pair are 8.9m versions for Swindon’s Bus Company, offering up to 29 seats.
Managing Director Go South Coast Andrew Wickham said: “We’re delighted to have added these Alexander Dennis buses to our fleet. They offer additional comfort for every passenger travelling on them – and the fact that they also carry the latest low-emission engines makes them kinder to the environment than previous diesel vehicles. The impressive buses also include on-board technology, like USB charging points and contactless, tap on tap off payment facilities.
“We’re very proud to be driving them across our south coast network, and we hope those who travel with us will agree that they offer a superior travelling experience. The aim is to make sustainable transport a more attractive proposition, in order to entice people out of their cars. This investment is a huge step in that direction.”
Mark Ballam, National Account Manager at Alexander Dennis, added: “It is heartening to see the Go-Ahead Group’s continued investment into upgraded journeys for its customers on the South Coast. These buses further reduce the environmental impact of bus travel with emission-reducing Alexander Dennis SmartPack technology.
“This year’s 28 new buses take the total of new Alexander Dennis low-emission buses that Go South Coast has placed into service over the last three years to over 100, providing a highly appreciated boost for British bus manufacturing.”
