The operator has broken ground as part of its plans to introduce electric buses to Oxford
Following months of planning, work has started to facilitate the arrival of 55 new electric buses for Stagecoach in Oxford as part of the company’s launch of its share of new Oxford SmartZone services planned for March 2024. Rachel Geliamassi, Managing Director at Stagecoach West, explained: “Stagecoach is fully committed to having a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 so beginning this important project is incredibly exciting and a major leap towards our ultimate goal. The launch of electric buses in Oxford builds on the successful introduction in other major cities across the UK improving air quality and making bus travel an even more attractive option for everyone.”
Oxford’s electric bus scheme is funded in part from a successful bid by Oxford County Council to the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme of £32.8m. This, together with £6m from the city council and £43.7m from Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Company will deliver the new electric buses and the infrastructure to support them in a package worth £82.5m in total.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “After all the hard work that went into putting together Oxfordshire’s successful bid to secure 159 electric buses, it is incredibly exciting to see the preparations taking place to begin welcoming their arrival. This project represents the biggest ever investment in public transport in the county. We are backing our commitment to deliver public transport for residents with political and financial capital, and working with the bus companies, including Stagecoach West, and the government to make it happen.”
Design and installation of the charging infrastructure is being undertaken by EV fleet specialists Zenobē; this will be the 15th fleet electrification project by Stagecoach to be delivered in partnership with the end-to-end charging solutions specialist.
Co-founder and Director at Zenobē Steven Meersman said: “We are partnering with Stagecoach West to deliver a charging hub that will incorporate the latest in fleet charging technology to power its 55 strong fleet of electric buses. With our extensive expertise in delivering end-to-end electrification, we are pleased to deliver a future proof and fully optimised charging solution at Network Oxford, in what is another significant development in the roll-out of zero-emission transport in the UK with Stagecoach West.”
