Stagecoach has ordered 46 battery-electric BYD Alexander Dennis (ADL) buses for deployment in Scotland.
The 24 single deck Enviro200EV and 22 double deck Enviro400EV buses have been part-funded by the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme and will join the operator’s fleets in Aberdeen, Perth and Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock will receive 15 10.9m Enviro200EVs, while Perth will receive nine of the longer 11.6m models to achieve additional capacity. The 22 10.8m double deck buses will join Aberdeen city services.
The buses will be assembled at ADL’s factory in Falkirk to further benefit the Scottish economy. The Scottish Government funding will also support electric infrastructure for depots. Stagecoach is partnering with SSE to deliver recharging infrastructure in its Aberdeen and Perth sites.
“This substantial order of new electric buses continues Stagecoach’s track record of strong investment in cleaner buses. We look forward to working closely with Stagecoach to get these new buses onto the roads of Aberdeen, Perth and Kilmarnock at pace,” says ADL President and Managing Director Paul Davies. “
“It is great news for Scotland that this investment is being recycled into the local economy, allowing the benefits to be felt across our communities while helping to underpin skilled jobs.”
Adds Sam Greer, Regional Director for Stagecoach in Scotland: “Sustainable public transport is critical to the future of our planet: Decarbonising local journeys, reducing road congestion, improving air quality and tackling climate change. We welcome the announcement by Scottish Government of additional funding to support the roll out of 46 new electric buses in Scotland.
“This major investment will also provide a boost for Scotland’s world-leading bus
manufacturing sector, helping to protect and grow jobs in Scotland. As major investment is made in zero- and low-emission buses, it also enables us to build further on developing in skills and training for our engineering teams to maintain the new greener fleet as we transition to new zero-emission technologies.
“As Scotland gears up to host the COP 26 climate change summit in November, it’s a crucial time for us all to think about how we can help deliver a greener recovery from Covid-19. Major investment in new zero-emission buses also needs to be matched by better road infrastructure and more bus priority measures to help encourage people to make the switch from car to sustainable public transport.”
