‘Give them a go’: Stagecoach launches new fleet of 42 electric buses in city
‘SO PROUD’: Stagecoach East Midlands MD Matt Cranwell
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
A new fleet of 42 electric buses has been launched in Hull by Stagecoach East Midlands.
As well as being better for the environment than diesel buses, the new electric buses also reduce noise pollution, emitting as little as 50 decibels – the level of a normal conversation – rather than a diesel bus, which typically emits 72 decibels.
Stagecoach said they not just offered a smoother and more comfortable ride but would also provide more reliable services, having fewer working parts to maintain and also requiring service every six weeks instead of every four weeks for diesel buses.
The new vehicles are all equipped with electric parking brakes, hill start assist, and electric ‘smart’ mirrors, designed to improve visibility, particularly in low-light conditions.
They were launched on Monday on the 3, 5 and 12 services and the roll-out will be extended to the 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 services, the company said.
Stagecoach launched the fleet in an event at the MKM Stadium attended by representatives from Hull and East Riding councils and other dignitaries.
It said the £28m investment in buses and associated infrastructure from Stagecoach, the councils and the Department for Transport, represented the biggest order of buses for Hull in the last 125 years. It has installed 56 charging points at its Foster Street depot.
Stagecoach intends to increase the number of electric buses in its city fleet to 55 in the next 12 months.
Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “We are so proud to be bringing these wonderful new vehicles to our loyal customers in Hull. Investments like this aim to offer a more reliable and more comfortable service, as well as cleaner air for everyone.
“Our ongoing multi-million-pound investment will continue to decarbonise our fleet while bringing state-of-the-art bus travel to our customers. As we invest in a new electric fleet to bring more sustainable public transport, we would encourage everyone to leave their cars at home and give our new buses a go.”
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at the city council, said: “Stagecoach’s new electric buses are a fantastic step forward for Hull. They’re cleaner, quieter and more reliable, and they will make everyday journeys easier for thousands of people across our city.
“This investment shows real confidence in Hull’s future. Modern, dependable public transport is essential for a growing city, and these new buses will help us deliver exactly that.”
The range of a fully charged electric double-decker is approximately 260 miles, and single-decker 300 miles. A typical bus in Hull will travel 135 miles each day.
The launch this month comes when children under 16 can travel for free on local buses under the Government’s Great British Summer Savings Scheme. Adult single fares are capped at £3.
Last month, the BBC reported that rival firm East Yorkshire Buses was having to use diesel generators to charge its new fleet of 27 electric buses. It said this was a temporary measure as an issue with a contractor caused a delay in the installation of charging infrastructure. The company said today “our energisation is complete” and it was no longer using generators.