York now has the largest all-electric bus network in the UK, it is being claimed, following introduction of a further zero-emissions vehicle.
First Bus and City of York Council made the claim as an Optare Metrodecker replaced a diesel for the Rawcliffe Bar Service 2, bringing the total number of electric buses operating on the scheme to 33.
York Park and Ride, which is jointly operated by First Bus and the council, is served by 21 Metrodeckers and 12 Optare Versa single-deckers. The latter have been reintroduced over recent months following a repower to replace the original battery-electric driveline with Equipmake’s own Zero Emission Drivetrain.
Tom Donnelly, Operations Manager of First Bus in York, says: “We’re proud of this achievement in bringing greener transport to every part of the Park and Ride network. Our fleet carried close to four million customers in 2023 and we firmly believe that awareness of this accolade in zero-emission travel and its environmental benefits for York can encourage more people to use the network and leave cars on the outskirts of the city.”
Councillor Kate Ravilious, Joint Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, adds: “York’s Park and Ride offers one of the best, and now one of the biggest all-electric, frequent, low-floor, wheelchair accessible services in the country.
“Together with our discount where up to three under-16s accompanied by a fare-paying adult will travel for free, and anyone aged from 5 to 18 will pay no more than £1 for a single fare when travelling unaccompanied by an adult, there’s never been a better time to get the bus in York!”
