Oxford Bus Company has launched its first battery-electric fleet member to carry a livery marking a winner of its established Brand the Bus competition.
The Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner – one of a large fleet of those with the operator – shows a pink and white scheme to support Oxford Hospitals Charity as the winner of the 2024 contest. It is completed with images of staff who work in Oxfordshire hospitals.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at John Radcliffe Hospital on 14 August, attended by representatives of Oxford Bus Company, hospital staff, and the charity. Among those present were some of those whose images form part of the livery.
Oxford Hospitals Charity won the 2024 Brand the Bus contest after a public vote. It scooped a £40,000 package that includes the vehicle livery and a year’s worth of advertising with Greatest Hits Radio.
The charity funds specialist medical equipment and research and creates more comfortable and welcoming facilities for patients in the Oxford Children’s Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, and Horton General Hospital.
Over 11,000 votes for Brand the Bus were cast online by the public. The overall winner was selected from a top ten of good causes by a judging panel. Be Free Young Carers was runner-up and Style Acre finished third.
Speaking about the unveiling, Oxford Bus Company Luke Marion says: “It is fantastic to see our first charity branded electric bus go into service, backing an excellent local good cause. We are proud to support Oxford Hospitals Charity as part of our community values and look forward to the bus helping to raise awareness of all the great work it does.”
The organisation has worked with the operator “to bring the new design to life,” says Oxford Hospitals Charity Head of Communications Sarah Vaccari.
“We really hope our bright pink bus can’t be missed as it drives around Oxfordshire, so it will introduce many more local people to our charity, helping us to continue to make a real difference in the hospitals that look after us all.”
Oxford Bus Company will shortly announce details of its Brand the Bus competition for 2025.
