Go North West will put 19 new Wrightbus Streetdeck Electroliner double-decker buses into Bee Network service on 5 January.
The additions, which will operate on routes 472 and 474 for Bury and Ramsbottom, will bring Go North West’s battery-electric fleet to 69 buses.
They will replace smaller vehicles to ease potential overcrowding, the operator says.
The new vehicles come with audio-visual next stop announcements, two wheelchair bays, anti-slip flooring, a passenger hearing loop system, and at-seat USB chargers.
They were ordered in advance of the 1,200 zero-emission bus deal with Wrightbus which parent company Go-Ahead announced in October.
Nigel Featham, Managing Director of Go North West, says: “We are delighted to expand our electric bus fleet, promoting cleaner air in Greater Manchester, reduced carbon emissions and more comfortable journeys for passengers. This investment underlines our commitment to working with TfGM and local communities to ensure Greater Manchester has one of the very best bus networks in the UK.”
Stephen Rhodes, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfM) Director of Bus, adds: “The way people get around Greater Manchester is changing, with the Bee Network unlocking a green revolution with cleaner, greener and more reliable services, reinforced by buses and depots being electrified at pace.”
With the third and final tranche of the Bee Network also due to go live on 5 January, the fleet enhancement boosts TfGM’s sustainability aims. routeone reported last month that 25% of the fleet for the newly franchised area will be battery-electric by April.
