Extension for electric Red Line in Nottingham
Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT) Red Line 50 electric bus service will run later into evenings and seven days a week – just in time for Christmas
Nottingham City Council has secured funding from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan to support bus services that service communities on routes that are not otherwise commercially viable.
Photo courtesy of Nottingham City Council
What’s more, funding from the government’s zero emission bus regional areas (ZEBRA) scheme has enabled NCT to buy 48 new Yutong electric single-deck buses. The no. 50 route will be among the first to benefit from this new acquisition, which should be in service early in the new year. These electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, and so contribute to wider efforts to improve air quality and tackle climate change.
The no. 50 service currently runs between the city of Nottingham and the shops in Victoria Retail Park, passing through Colwick Industrial Estate. It will now run later into the evening, and a new Sunday service starting on December 3 means it runs seven days a week. The hope is to further extend the service beyond Victoria Retail Park to connect hundreds of new houses in the Rivendell estate.
Demand for increased bus services has been driven in part by major redevelopment of the industrial area between Lady Bay Retail Park and Colwick Park, with many new residential properties already built and more under construction. Nottingham City Council consulted residents’ associations along the route to better understand need, developing the expanded service in collaboration with NCT.
Angela Kandola, Portfolio Holder for Transport at Nottingham City Council, says: ‘Five years ago we completed a major upgrade in Daleside Road, installing cycle and bus lanes along the entire length to improve transport options to the east of the city.
‘Since then, we have welcomed new housing developments into the area, with more under construction. These residents deserve a good, reliable bus service and I’m pleased we’re able to support the expansion of the NCT 50 to help people access employment and enjoy the full range of Nottingham’s leisure, retail and night-time economy.’
David Astill, Managing Director at Nottingham City Transport, adds: ‘Red Line 50 provides an important link to the many industrial and retail units on the east side of the city and we are excited to be enhancing this service in early 2024 with the first of our zero-emission electric single deck buses.
‘With the increase in residential properties on and around Daleside Road, the Bus Service Improvement Plan funding will help support and establish the new evening and Sunday service on this route.’
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