Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has taken delivery of the first five of its 100 electric double-decker buses ordered from Alexander Dennis (ADL) for the region’s forthcoming Bee Network.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was at ADL‘s headquarters in Larbert, Scotland, today to receive the yellow BYD ADL Enviro400EV buses, which will enter service along with 45 others in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury in September. Diamond and Go North West will operate those services as the franchised network begins to be rolled out on 24 September.
A further 50 will be delivered in March 24 when the network is extended to Bury, Rochdale and Oldham and parts of Manchester, Salford and Tameside.
The 10.8m-long vehicles, which are funded by the the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, seat 62 passengers and have two wheelchair bays and audio and visual announcements.
Alexander Dennis Group Commercial Director, Martin West, says: “We are proud to be manufacturing the brand-new buses that will upgrade bus services in Greater Manchester as part of the Bee Network. These proven and reliable electric buses will deliver smooth journeys for passengers while cutting out tailpipe emissions wherever they go.
“The assembly of these buses in the UK supports the jobs and apprenticeships of over 2,000 team members in our company, who are proud to be leading the transition to zero-emission mobility. Through our domestic supply chain, this Bee Network investment benefits communities in the North of England and right across the country.”
When the services are brought under local control, those first 50 electric buses will be joined by 50 new Euro-VI vehicles. From 2024 onwards, Stagecoach in Stockport will operate 170 electric Volvo BZLs that are on order.
Mr Burnham adds: “By bringing buses under local control and investing in new vehicles, routes, and services, we will start to transform how people get around Greater Manchester.
“Key to that is a world-class fleet of modern, accessible, and environmentally friendly buses – which is what these are. It was great to see the first ones off the production line and I can’t wait to see them full of passengers when the first services come under local control from September.
“The contract with Alexander Dennis is a brilliant example of the far-reaching benefits the work we are doing to improve public transport in Greater Manchester has to the UK economy. Through our supply chains we are helping to secure skilled jobs and training and I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with the young apprentices, who look to have a great career ahead of them.”
A new electric-ready depot for 250 buses will be built in Central Park in Manchester, while TfGM will take control of the existing depots.
