Alexander Dennis is big winner in 340-strong order but Caetano, Scania, Volvo and Wright also share spoils; two-thirds to have stop-start tech and all will have USB charging and free wi-fi
Stagecoach has ordered 340 new coaches and buses worth £70m, with UK manufacturers Alexander Dennis, Plaxton and Wrightbus the biggest beneficiaries.
It takes to over £1bn the amount that Stagecoach has spent on new vehicles in the last 11 years, delivering around 7,000 new coaches and buses to its UK fleets.
Technologically savvy
Stagecoach has revealed that around two-thirds of the order will have engine stop-start technology and that almost half will comply with the government’s Low Emission Bus Scheme, making them eligible for a BSOG uplift.
Additionally, all 340 vehicles will be equipped with USB charging points and most will have wi-fi fitted.
“Our focus is on delivering practical improvements to make travel even better for our customers,” says Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths, who takes a swipe at a recalcitrance to deal with congestion.
“It is time that our politicians stepped up and took action to support bus passengers and free up road space to help bus networks flourish.”
ADL at the forefront
As expected, Alexander Dennis (ADL) is highly prominent in Stagecoach’s latest order. It will supply 224 integral buses: 122 Enviro400 MMC double-deckers and 102 Enviro200 MMC single-deckers. It will also mount 59 Enviro400 MMC bodies on Scania chassis.
ADL-owned Plaxton will body 31 Volvo coach chassis. 14 will be two-axle Elite models, with the remainder 15-metre tri-axles. Nine will be Elite-i interdeckers and the remaining eight standard Elite examples.
Other builders, too
Caetano will supply three Levante-bodied Volvo coaches, and Volvo will also work with Wrightbus to deliver a pair of Eclipse-bodied B8RLEs and seven Gemini 3 open-top-bodied B5TLs.
Wrightbus has secured an order for 18 StreetLite Max buses. Equipped with Micro Hybrid technology, they will be used in Sheffield and have been part-funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.
