Stagecoach Yorkshire has unveiled the first of 23 Yutong battery-electric buses for Rawmarsh depot in Rotherham.
They mark the operator’s debut in zero-emission and come with what are described as “bespoke” interiors, along with the group’s Electro brand. They are also the first Yutong buses for the UK that are equipped with opportunity charging equipment to work with an inverted pantograph.
Service entry is 20 May, and the fleet will be used on routes across Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster. The project is supported by funding from the first round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme and represents an overall investment of £11.6 million.
Launch for the Yutongs was on 7 May at Wentworth Woodhouse with an event attended by representatives of Stagecoach Yorkshire, local authorities, the Department for Transport, and Bus Users UK. Also present was Stagecoach Executive Chairman Ray O’Toole.
Stagecoach Yorkshire Managing Director Matt Kitchen says that the operator is proud to be introducing the buses, which have been supplied by fellow Yorkshire business Pelican Bus and Coach.
He adds that the fleet will “improve air quality locally and reduce congestion as more people switch to sustainable forms of transport. As a business, Stagecoach is committed to achieving net-zero by 2035, and the launch of these vehicles is a huge milestone towards that.”
Recently re-elected Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard says that the region is committed to reaching net-zero by 2040. “That is a challenge that we simply have to address, and these new electric buses are a step in the right direction to making our air cleaner for everyone,” Mr Coppard continues.
Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie notes that the Stagecoach Yorkshire Yutong fleet is being completed by Pelican at its facility in Castleford. “The launch event was the culmination of tireless work from the Stagecoach team and the wider community,” he says. “Stagecoach has developed superb vehicles with a new contemporary interior.”
