170 Volvo BZLs with MCV bodywork make up the order recently placed by Stagecoach Manchester for a battery-electric bus fleet that will be deployed in Stockport.
The deal consists of 150 double-deckers and 20 single-deckers. It represents the largest single order for zero-emission buses yet placed by Stagecoach. They will be the fruits of a successful bid by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, to which £35.7 million of funding was allocated.
Stagecoach will provide a further £37.2 million towards the Stockport electric bus project and GMCA will add £12.5 million. The first buses from the BZL order are expected to be delivered in summer 2024. Specification for the fleet includes hearing induction loops and audio-visual next-stop announcements.
Speaking about the purchase, Stagecoach Engineering Director Sam Greer says: “We are excited to be announcing our largest electric vehicle order to date, which will be a major step forward to improving air quality across the region.
“This builds further on the investment being made by Stagecoach across the country to support the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.”
The group recently placed its first Volvo BZL models into service in West Scotland, while it has 30 double-deck examples on order for a ZEBRA project in Cambridgeshire. Those are due to hit the road in May. The Stockport work is funded via ZEBRA’s standard track mechanism and it represents the largest single award from the scheme.
Confirmation of the Stockport order takes to 270 the number of battery-electric buses due for Greater Manchester, with GMCA having signed for two separate batches of 50 BYD ADL Enviro400 double-deckers as part of its rollout of franchising and the Bee Network. Stagecoach Manchester already operates 32 Enviro400EVs from its Sharston depot.
