A fleet of 62 Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner battery-electric buses with First Solent have covered over 1.3 million miles and carried almost four million passengers since launch in April, the operator has revealed.
They replaced over 40% of the First Solent diesel fleet and have removed what the operator claims is around 2,430 tonnes of well-to-wheel CO2 equivalent emissions.
Hoeford depot in Fareham has been electrified with 33 twin-head chargers to support the vehicles, with part funding towards both the Electroliners and infrastructure from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme.
Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council are part of the project. In total, £28.6 million has been invested into the work. Bus Service Improvement Plan monies have been put to complementary timetable uplifts and priority infrastructure work.
First Bus South Managing Director Simon Goff (pictured, right) says that customer response to the battery-electric buses with First Solent has been good, “which is shown by the numbers of people using them.”
Adds Mr Goff: “They provide a comfortable and modern passenger experience, offering a quieter, smoother ride and enhanced audio-visual announcements. Our drivers love them and the electrification of our Hoeford depot has transformed things for all our people.”
Portsmouth City Council Cabinet Member for Transport Cllr Peter Candlish (pictured, second from left) says that success of the electrics “is a testament to the collective effort and commitment of all those involved.”
He continues: “This project is a clear example of how working together across sectors and local authorities helps us to deliver our vision of a people-centred, connected travel network – one that prioritises public transport.
“We are creating a transport service that puts people first and helps to deliver a safer, healthier and more accessible city for all.”
The electric fleet operates six route groups, including two that reach Southampton and the Eclipse bus rapid transit service between Fareham and Gosport.
