Stagecoach confirms plans to increase electric bus fleet by over 80%

Stagecoach confirms plans to increase electric bus fleet by over 80% as new report details "year of progress" on company's journey to net zero

• Britain's biggest bus operator to increase number of e-buses from 184 to 343 in next 12 months
• UK's first all-electric bus city networks set to go live in Perth and Inverness in 2023
• 32% reduction in carbon emissions per passenger journey in 2021-22
• Stagecoach greener public transport services help customers avoid c20,000 tonnes of CO2e
• 100% renewable electricity used across the UK

Stagecoach has confirmed today (28 November 2022) that it is planning to increase its electric bus fleet by over 80% across the country in the next 12 months as it continues its journey towards being a net zero business. Passengers in Perth will see more electric buses, and the launch of the first UK’s all-electric city bus network during 2023.

New e-buses will run across routes that have previously operated with largely diesel fleets, helping to drive cleaner air in this major city.

The vehicles are partly funded by the Scottish Government through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB), designed to support the transition to zero-emission technologies as part of Scotland’s overall target to achieve net zero by 2045.

The new electric buses in Perth, will be made up of a £4.8m fleet of 13 buses, including seven single deck, three midibuses, two minibuses and one double-decker. They will add to the fleet of nine zero emission buses (ZEBs) introduced in the city last December.

Stagecoach has published a new report outlining progress in 2021-2022 against the strategy it launched last year, Driving Net Zero: Better Places to Live and Work, that set out the steps it would take on the journey to become a net zero business.

The report details a programme of improvements delivered in 2021-2022 against its Planet, People, Prosperity and Governance targets. It includes a package of capital investment in new cleaner buses, measures to improve energy efficiency as well as improvements and investment for Stagecoach employees and local communities.

Key highlights Stagecoach has delivered across the whole country during the year include:

Protecting the Planet

• Introduction of 75 new zero emission buses in regions across the UK, with 79 new e-buses in London during 2021-22. A further 159 new electric buses are planned to be introduced in 2023.
• Stagecoach will also start running 10 new hydrogen buses in Liverpool in spring 2023, the first of its kind for the region, operated through a partnership with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Arriva.
• An overall 32% reduction in scope 1 & 2 CO₂e emissions per passenger journey.
• Helped customers avoid nearly 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions by providing them with more sustainable travel rather than taking the car.
• 100% renewable electricity now being used across the business, with new energy saving lighting in place in some locations.
• Achieved management ‘B’ rating in benchmark assessment from CDP, above the average for the road transport sector.
• Recycling mobile devices which has helped to fund the planting of over 3,000 trees.
• Opening of a sustainable new £7m depot in Cwmbran in South Wales, which features a water recycling system, electric charging bays, intelligent heating, solar panels and a grass roof for rainwater harvesting.

Investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of employees and customers

• The first bus operator to introduce low bridge alert technology across its fleet of 4,000 double decker buses.
• New employee networks in place as part of diversity and inclusion plans, giving employees the chance to help shape the agenda and bring about lasting change.
• Investment in company’s first ever Head of Sustainability and Inclusion & Culture Partner.

Caring for local communities

• Stagecoach ‘Giving for Good’ initiative launched to support charities and community causes, with new partnerships with four national charities and supporting hundreds of local charities.
• New UK customer contact centre opened in Perth creating 60 new jobs.

Earlier this year, Stagecoach launched a sector-leading report which demonstrated the importance of government funding to match operator investment in new zero emission buses: https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/publication-policy-documents/zeb-report.pdf

This was followed by further research published this month: https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/publication-policy-documents/modal-shift-report.pdf showing how national and local government policies can help to deliver modal shift from the car to more sustainable travel, helping people to save thousands of pounds and deliver reduced carbon emissions. Both reports have been welcomed by the Department for Transport, Scottish Government, Campaign for Better Transport and customer watchdog, Transport Focus.

Stagecoach is continuing with its plans to target a zero emission UK bus fleet by 2035 and has introduced new electric buses across many parts of the country, including one of Europe’s biggest investments in e-buses in Manchester. The company will also be launching the first all-electric city bus networks in the UK in Inverness and Perth in 2023.

Douglas Robertson, Managing Director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “We know there is still a lot of work to be done, but we are pleased to have had a really good year of progress against our sustainability strategy, and look forward to the introduction of one of the UK’s first all-electric city bus networks in Perth.

“Despite the challenging macro-economic environment, and the specific pressures that are being faced in the public transport sector, as the country’s biggest bus and coach operator, Stagecoach is continuing to play a leading role in decarbonising the sector and we are working hard towards our target to become a net zero business by 2050.

“Our services are critical to rebuilding the country’s economy and levelling up communities. As well as the steps we are taking to decarbonise our own business, it is equally as important for national and local government and transport operators to work together to maximise the benefits of the bus to meet the country’s aspirations of a net zero future.”

For a copy of Stagecoach’s report, Our Sustainability Journey, visit: https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/publication-policy-documents/sustainability-progress-report-2021-2022.pdf