Stagecoach, the UK public transport operator, has recently made its biggest ever electric bus order. The company is set to spend £37.2 million (€42.3 million) to procure a new fleet of 170 electric buses for use in Stockport, Manchester. This is a significant investment, which will undoubtedly improve the air quality in the area.
The order comprises 150 electric double-decker buses and 20 solo buses, all of which are due to enter service in summer 2024. These buses will be similar to the 27 electric buses that Stagecoach ordered for Ayrshire, which were based on the BZL Electric chassis from Volvo Buses. The bodies of the buses will be built by the Egyptian manufacturer MCV, which is also seeking to establish a foothold in Germany with its own electric city bus.
See also: Stagecoach Orders 55 Battery-Electric Buses from Alexander Dennis
Greater Manchester’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) tender will fund the buses with £35.7 million (€40.5 million), while Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will provide £12.5 million (€14.2 million). The total investment in the project, including Stagecoach’s contribution, is £85.4 million, or €97 million.
Sam Greer, Engineering Director at Stagecoach, said: “We’re excited to be announcing our largest electric vehicle order to date, which will be a major step forward in improving air quality across the region. This builds further on the investment being made by Stagecoach across the country to support the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.”
Stagecoach currently operates a total of 8,300 buses, coaches, and trams across England, Scotland, and Wales, including various electric buses and double-deckers. The company’s latest order shows that it is taking significant steps towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
