Reading Buses has placed an additional order with Alexander Dennis for another eight next-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV electric double-deck buses, taking the customer’s total on order to 32, and to be delivered buses in 2026. The contract follows the allocation of additional Department for Transport zero-emission bus funding in response to a joint bid by Reading Borough Council and Reading Buses.
The new vehicles will convert the operator’s ‘yellow 26’ route to electric operation, joining 24 similar buses funded by the second round of the UK Government’s Zero-Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA 2) scheme which are currently in build and are expected are to start running on the operator’s ‘purple 17’ and ‘claret 21’ routes this August.
All 32 buses will be built to the same high specification with high-back seating, USB charging sockets, social seating areas, full air-conditioning, audio-visual next stop announcements and enhanced accessibility. Chief Executive Officer at Reading Buses Robert Williams said: “We were delighted to gain the opportunity to extend our plans for zero-emission buses in the Reading area, and look forward to the improvement in customer experience the new buses are expected to deliver to our network of brightly coloured 24/7 urban bus services. Our detailed specification includes café-style flooring, high back seats with USB charging, social seating, no rattly items, a glazed staircase and rooflights, LED mood lighting, two wheelchair bays, and audio visual next stop information system.”
Regional Sales Manager for Alexander Dennis Mark Taylor added: “We’re delighted that another eight next-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVs will take the Reading Buses electric fleet to 32 buses by next year, delivering smoother journeys and cleaner air. This order is also good news for the wider British economy, with UK Government funding being reinvested in domestic manufacturing that will benefit local communities in places where Alexander Dennis operates as well as throughout our extensive supply chain.”
