The South East operator has invested in a fleet of Yutong E10 electric buses for a corporate contract
Passenger Plus, which is based near the M25 on the south side of London, has launched its first electric vehicles as part of a coroprate staff shuttle contracted service. The vehicles will operate a route between Feltham railway station and Sunbury, providing a zero-emission solution for its clients. The firm said that the introduction of its zero-emission fleet had been a long and challenging process, and delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but added that its skilled and determined team and the support of its client means that it can now really make a difference to the air quality in its operating area.
The company has signed what it says is a landmark eight year contract with its client, allowing it to commit to a long term zero-emission solution. Passenger Plus says it is already discussing adding further electric vehicles to its fleet. “At Passenger Plus we have always embraced technology and this investment is the ultimate demonstration of our passion to do things better. Not only are these vehicles great for the environment they are smooth, comfortable and are a joy to ride on for our lovely passengers. We could not be more happy with how these vehicles have turned out,” said Managing Director Mark Drury, who described the process as ‘a steep learning curve in some ways, but surprisingly straightforward in others.’
The vehicles’ energy consumption is around what the company had expected, he added, even in bad weather, with the battery capacity to operate for up to three days without charging. “The drivers absolutely love the vehicles and the way they ride so smoothly but what’s most noticeable is how silent and vibration free they are when stopped at a junction or traffic lights, which just makes the whole travelling experience so much more pleasant,” he noted. “We still have a lot to learn and once we get the telematics dialled in we will get better visibility of the operation but our fantastic team have really embraced the change and can only see positives in the transition to EVs.”
The company has chosen Yutong E10 buses, which were supplied by Pelican Bus & Coach. Pelican’s Ian Downie commented: “It is always a proud moment to see a contract being fulfilled and having excellent feedback from a customer, and their customers. In their words ‘it is the ultimate demonstration of their passion to do things better.’”
