London electric double-deckers used to carry world VIPs at Glasgow climate conference
Stagecoach has partnered with Alexander Dennis (ADL) to supply a fleet of new electric double-decker buses to transport world leaders and their entourages attending the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Dignitaries including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, UN Secretary General António Guterres and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi were transported in the buses to a reception event during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference currently taking place in the city.
Ten of Stagecoach’s brand new iconic red London double-decker buses, which came straight from ADL’s nearby production line in Falkirk, were used to provide the service for a group of several hundred key COP26 VIPs including world leaders. Following COP26, the buses will travel from Scotland to London, where they will deliver passenger services for Stagecoach on behalf of Transport for London (TfL).
Stagecoach is targeting a zero emissions UK bus fleet by 2035 as part of a commitment to become net zero by 2050 and has joined the United Nations-backed Race to Zero initiative to keep global warming to 1.5°C in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement. Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive of Stagecoach, said: “We are proud to be playing an important part in COP26 and we are delighted world leaders have chosen greener bus travel, which is central to meeting global climate ambitions. Stagecoach is investing hundreds of millions of pounds in new clean electric and other zero- emissions buses, but one of the biggest positive changes people can make individually in addressing the climate emergency is by switching from cars to more sustainable public transport, cycling and walking.”
Paul Davies, ADL President & Managing Director, added: “COP26 is focused on finding solutions to the climate emergency and we are proud to be able to demonstrate a zero emission solution that is available right now. Clean electric buses such as the ones we’re building for Stagecoach are key to reducing transport emissions around the globe and encouraging modal shift to sustainable transport modes.”
Louise Cheeseman, TfL’s Director for Buses, said: “Our investment in clean buses has delivered more than 550 zero-emission buses in London and is helping drive forward the agenda for greener buses and create green jobs across the rest of the UK. As those at COP26 will see, these zero-emission buses are efficient and comfortable as well as being environmentally friendly, and will play a part in making our whole fleet of 9,000 buses carbon-free.”
