Stagecoach said on Thursday it has deployed six Volvo BZL electric buses on its JET747 service linking Fife with Edinburgh Airport, marking its latest step towards an all-electric fleet.
The new service will run daily and connect Halbeath Park & Ride, Inverkeithing rail station and Ferrytoll Park & Ride to the airport, with discounted fares available for passengers under 22 and over 60, according to Edinburgh News.
“The introduction of the new electric JET747 fleet is a significant milestone on our journey to Net Zero,” said David Frenz, interim managing director for Stagecoach East Scotland. “These state-of-the-art Volvo buses will provide passengers with quieter, cleaner and more comfortable journeys, while helping to deliver a more sustainable future for Scotland’s transport system.”
The £58 million Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB 2) helped finance the new buses and their charging infrastructure. The scheme supports operators in adopting battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses to accelerate Scotland’s shift to zero-emission public transport.
The JET747 joins the JET787 service from St Andrews to Edinburgh Airport, which launched with electric buses in May. Stagecoach has also announced plans to transition its depot in Stockton-on-Tees to an all-electric fleet, while working with Vitol subsidiary VIV to build new charging hubs across the UK.
