Southampton City Council secured £2.68m from the Government’s Clean Bus Technology Fund (CBTF) to retrofit 145 pre-Euro 6 buses that operate in the city.
The council bid in partnership with First Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire, Go-South Coast, Xelabus and Wheelers Travel – who between them operate all 35 of the bus routes in the city.
The funding forms part of a wider investment programme by bus operators in new and cleaner fleets. This includes 32 new Euro 6 double-deckers as part of the Unilink service, operated by Go South Coast, due to be delivered in the summer. In addition, Xelabus is having three Volvo Hybrid double-deckers delivered this Easter.
The funding from the CBTF is supported by match funding from the bus operators of £815,680, which will go towards refurbished vehicles, driver training and investment to improve fuel economy.
