The buses will join the operator’s existing fleet of Volvo electric buses in Harrogate
Transdev has confirmed that it has placed orders worth £21 million for 39 new buses and to equip its depot to convert its entire Harrogate fleet to fully electric power. The orders are supported by £7.8 million of funding from the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, following a successful bid by Transdev’s partner North Yorkshire Council.
The new vehicle orders follow trials of several types of all-electric buses on three routes in and around the North Yorkshire town and on its high-frequency Shuttle route linking Bradford and Keighley. During the trials, the bus operator invited its customers to rate key design features, with feedback incorporated into the specifications of the new buses announced today.
Transdev has placed orders for 20 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro single-deckers, to be used on its busy urban route 1 between Harrogate and Knaresborough, as well as route 7 linking Harrogate, Wetherby and Leeds, and rural route 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge, plus 19 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV double-deckers to relaunch its flagship 36 linking Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds.
Transdev Managing Director Henri Rohard said: “We’re delighted to launch our depot and bus electrification project. It is an important evolution in the quality and sustainability of our network in and around our home town of Harrogate. All our bus fleet will be renewed in the process, giving our Harrogate Bus Company the most modern and passenger oriented network. The project has been made possible thanks to the significant support from the Government’s ZEBRA fund.
“In combination with our existing eight Harrogate Electrics-branded Volvo 7900E electric buses, the first of their kind in Britain, 47 fully-electric vehicles are now expected to be in service in spring 2024.
“Higher power output delivered by today’s new generation batteries means each bus can go further between charge-ups – and to make sure we provide a reliable service, our buses will also have top-up charges at Harrogate bus station, as they will travel further in a day than the maximum range achievable by fully electric buses.”
Roads Minister Richard Holden added: “It’s fantastic to see Transdev turn its Harrogate fleet to fully electric by ordering 39 new electric buses. This has been supported by us providing nearly £8 million to North Yorkshire Council through the ZEBRA scheme.”
North Yorkshire Council was among 12 local authorities to submit a successful bid for Government funding. Executive Member for Highways and Transport Cllr Keane Duncan said: “We are delighted to see that our successful bid for Government funding is helping to transform bus travel in and around Harrogate. We look forward to continuing to work with Transdev on this project. It’s great news for passengers and an important step towards achieving our climate aims.”
