First new e-buses are already in service, as part of wider initiative to replace nearly half the existing Plymouth Citybus fleet with zero-emission alternatives
The first of 50 new electric double-decker buses are already on the road in Plymouth. The new vehicles have been delivered through a wider £500m initiative led by Plymouth Citybus – part of the Go-Ahead Group – in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council and the Department for Transport.
Two of the new electric double-decker buses in Plymouth, photo courtesy of Plymouth Citybus
The scheme was announced last October and the first new electric bus arrived in Plymouth on April 22. More continue to arrive and will enter service this summer – to coincide with completion of development on the Milehouse depot site, which will see it become a state-of-the-art hub for charging and maintaining the new fleet.
By the end of the year, Plymouth should have 50 of the new electric buses. Delivered in traditional red, when the buses enter service they will boast a green livery to match their green credentials.
Indeed, the new fleet is expected to reduce carbon emissions by an equivalent of 79,914 tonnes over the lifetime of the buses. What’s more they should reduce nitrous oxides (NOx) by the equivalent of 28 tonnes, and particulate matter of PM 2.5 a tonne.
What’s more, the new buses feature improved accessibility, with additional space to accommodate a second wheelchair user or multiple unfolded pushchairs or prams alongside the mandatory wheelchair space. The e-buses also feature audio-visual announcements, providing information on routes and upcoming stops.
Plymouth Citybus is investing £19.6m in the new bus initiative, alongside a £10.3m grant from the government’s zero emission bus regional area (ZEBRA) 2 fund. Plymouth Council and Cornwall Councill have also made contributions.
Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus, says: ‘The arrival of our first electric buses marks a huge step forward, not just for Plymouth Citybus but for the city as a whole. Our team is thrilled to be part of this positive change, and we are fully committed to building a greener transport network for generations to come.’
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport at Plymouth City Council, adds: ‘It’s fantastic to welcome Plymouth’s first electric buses and to be supporting the establishment of Milehouse as an electric bus depot. This is a major milestone and demonstrates the commitment of all the project partners – and wider enhanced partnership – to delivering better bus services for the city. I look forward to seeing the new buses out on the road and passengers enjoying the more accessible space and journey information they offer.’
Rebecca Riley, Head of Connectivity and Transport Policy at Cornwall Council, says: ‘We want to support our residents to make greener and healthier choices about how they travel as well as provide sustainable services to connect our communities. This work reflects the great partnership between neighbouring councils and transport operators as well as our commitment to decarbonising transport, which is a central theme of our local transport plan.’
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