Stagecoach is investing around £50m in 200 new low-emission diesel double-deck buses from Alexander Dennis for fleets across the UK
Stagecoach companies in Oxford, Manchester, Yorkshire, Preston, Northampton, Mansfield, Portsmouth, Chichester, Winchester, Torquay, Folkestone and Newcastle are set to benefit from a large order of new double-deckers that the operator has placed with Alexander Dennis (ADL) and which are to be delivered from early next year.
The firm is investing around £50m in 200 new low-emission double decker buses ahead of its plans to switch purchases to fully zero-emission vehicles. The purchase represents the largest single order placed in the UK bus industry this year, and means the operator will be able to remove older buses from its fleets.
Stagecoach has a target of a zero-emission UK bus fleet by 2035, and believes that during 2021-2022, through modal shift, its bus services helped to avoid over 19,000 tonnes of CO2. emissions. The 200 new buses are expected to help reduce emissions by a further 3,500 carbon tonnes per year.
Regional Director for Stagecoach Sam Greer said: “We are proud of the continued investment we are making to our fleet with the largest single order for new buses in the UK this year. This really shows our commitment to the future prosperity of our communities and to our people who can all benefit from cleaner transport and a growing bus sector.
“These new double decker buses will complement the investment we are already making with our electric buses to modernise our fleet in some of Britain’s major towns and cities, enabling reduced pollution and meaning customers will see more comfortable, quieter and newer vehicles on their everyday journeys.
“We look forward to working with ADL to get our new buses into service starting early next year.”
Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director Paul Davies said: “We are delighted to continue to support Stagecoach in making buses across the UK cleaner and greener. Our low-emission Enviro400 is a tried and tested product that combines efficiency with high passenger capacity. Robust and easy to maintain, the 200 new buses will integrate seamlessly into Stagecoach’s fleet.
“After the challenges both operators and manufacturers in the UK bus industry have faced in the last years, it is a heartening step on the road to recovery to see significant volumes of vehicles being ordered again by Stagecoach.”