Stagecoach East Scotland launched seven new electric hybrid buses last month, and this week welcomed the 10,000th passenger on board.
The new double-deckers on routes 20 and 21, have celebrated their first few weeks of service by providing the 10,000th customer on board with four weeks' free local bus travel.
Jon Oakey, Acting General Manager, Stagecoach East Scotland says: " We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and the Scottish Green Bus Fund (SGBF) provides vital support with environmental projects to assist with these aims."
The vehicle order forms a £2.1m investment by Stagecoach, of which £300k was offered by the SGBF, provided by the Scottish Government.
SGBF has so far assisted with the purchase of 315 low carbon emission buses across Scotland for a number of bus operators, and aims to support environmental projects and developments within the public transport industry.
The fund has already supported the introduction of 18 electric-hybrid buses for Angus back in 2015, which are currently running on the Tayway 73 route between Dundee and Arbroath.
“We have invested over £14.7 million through SGBF, which has helped bus operators purchase a range of low carbon emission vehicles," says Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands.
Routes 20 and 21 run between Edzell, Brechin, Forfar, Kirriemuir and Dundee providing regular journeys into the city.
As well as low emissions, these vehicles are constructed to a high-specification with comfortable coach style “e-leather” seating, free wifi access and USB charging points.
