Stagecoach invest in 16 double deck electric hybrid buses

Stagecoach East Scotland have announced an investment of £3.5million in a fleet of 16 innovative electric hybrid buses which have started to go out on the road this week.

The brand new double deck buses are low floor easy-access and fully equipped with leather seats, seatbelts, free wi-fi, USB charging points and contactless payment facilities.

The electric hybrid vehicles, manufactured by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), offer greenhouse gas reductions by 30% and are 10-20% more fuel efficient compared to conventional diesel powered vehicles. They are significantly lighter and quieter than previous models and have an engine stop-start system which allows the engine to turn off and driven in electric mode.

Stagecoach East Scotland already have a fleet of 25 double deck electric hybrid vehicles that have operated in Dundee and Angus since 2015. The latest vehicles will be used on service 7 in Fife, operating along Dunfermline, Rosyth, Dalgety Bay, Burntisland, Kirkcaldy and Leven.

Customers can expect fantastic coastal views when travelling along the coast and enjoy the new heating and ventilation system which will maintain a steady temperature of 18c for passenger comfort. The fleet have capacity for 79 seated, 19 standing and 1 wheelchair and the low floor will not only improve the ease of boarding the bus for customers with mobility restrictions but will also reduce boarding times for wheelchair users.

The investment in new low floor buses follows a £5.2million spend on luxury, low level seating coaches in 2018 allowing those with mobility issues and wheelchair users easier access.

Jon Oakey, Acting Managing Director for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “Our huge investment in the past year highlights we’re not only committed to improving public transport and reducing our environmental impact, we’re also determined to make our vehicles as easily accessible as possible. We would like to invite passengers to our upcoming Disabled Access Day event to try the buses for themselves – details of a family fun event to celebrate the 16 new electric hybrid buses will also be announced in due course”.

Stagecoach East Scotland will be joining hundreds of venues and companies across the UK on Saturday 16 March 2016 to showcase their accessibility as part of Disabled Access Day. One of the brand new electric hybrid buses and easy-access coach will feature at a ‘Disabled Access Day’ event between 10am and 2pm at Halbeath Park & Ride in Fife on Saturday 16 March.

The event will give passengers the opportunity to share their ideas or concerns about bus and coach travel with Stagecoach, the opportunity to learn about the new vehicles, how Stagecoach have made access to services easier and give them the chance to try the vehicles in an atmosphere free from pressure or time constraints.

Stagecoach offer a vast range of great value tickets, including single, return, daily, weekly and monthly tickets. Megarider and dayrider tickets provide unlimited travel for either one week or one day, ideal for commuters and day trippers alike.

For further information on bus timetables, journey planning or live bus times visit stagecoachbus.com or download the Stagecoach Bus app.