Stagecoach in Yorkshire has taken delivery of its first electric buses, Yutong E12s from Pelican Bus & Coach
Stagecoach is introducing its first electric buses in South Yorkshire in partnership with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and the Department for Transport from Monday 20 May.
The project is part of South Yorkshire’s first successful bid for Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding from the Department for Transport (DfT), and stakeholders were able to get a first look at the new Yutong E12 vehicles, which carry a new ‘Electro’ branding and livery, along with bespoke interiors, at an event held at the Wentworth Woodhouse country estate on Tuesday 7 May.
The 23 electric buses will be used on the company’s routes 22x and 221 routes which run from its Rawmarsh depot and connect Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster. Stagecoach Yorkshire Managing Director Matt Kitchin said: “We are so proud to be introducing these state-of-the-art buses into the community to improve air quality locally and reduce congestion as more people make the switch to sustainable forms of transport. As a business, Stagecoach is committed to achieving net zero by 2035 and the launch of these vehicles is a huge milestone towards achieving this.”
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard commented: “In South Yorkshire we’re committed to creating a greener future for the region and achieving net zero by 2040. It’s estimated that 200,000 people here live in areas vulnerable to air pollution. That’s a challenge we simply have to address, and these new electric buses are a step in the right direction to making our air cleaner for everyone. Not only will they improve public transport and make a contribution towards our net zero goals but they will help us on the path to a cleaner, greener, wealthier and healthier South Yorkshire.”
Minister for Roads Guy Opperman added: “We’ve invested over £460m into the roll-out of clean, modern and reliable buses across England, including £8.4m for South Yorkshire. I am delighted to see the progress to a zero-emission bus fleet and seeing Stagecoach continue to deliver more electric buses across the country.”
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK at Pelican Bus & Coach, which supplied the vehicles, commented: “The launch event was the culmination of tireless work from the Stagecoach team and the wider community.
They have developed superb vehicles with a new contemporary interior. These are the first DC and pantograph charged vehicles delivered by Pelican into the UK. The vehicles were fully completed in the UK at our Castleford depot and we look forward to seeing them on the streets of Yorkshire.”