The first of Harrogate's all-new, fully-electric single deck buses are in service today (Monday) as their operator celebrates winning a national environment award.
The Harrogate Bus Company has launched the first of 20 all-new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fully electric single deck buses into service on one of its busiest Yorkshire interurban services today.
The impressive new vehicles are now in service on the popular route 1 linking Harrogate and Knaresborough up to every eight minutes – with more new buses to follow shortly.
At a ceremony in Birmingham, Transdev was presented with one of the most hotly contested trophies – the Environment Award – after judges praised the diverse ways that the Harrogate-based bus operator is investing to reduce its carbon footprint.
Parent firm Transdev Blazefield’s Managing Director Henri Rohard said:
“I am delighted and very proud of our team – winning this award is a significant moment, especially at a time when the transition to electric buses is so important for our industry.
“This new generation of buses and charging systems has taken us three years to develop, following a successful funding application through ZEBRA, the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas fund.
"We are also very grateful for the support of our two exceptional partners, North Yorkshire Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, in securing joint funding for these exciting projects.”
When the bus firm’s phased introduction programme of its new electric single deckers is complete, 20 of the groundbreaking vehicles will be on the road, supported by a total investment of around £9 million by the bus operator and its funding partners in its single deck fleet.
The bus operator has already re-equipped its Harrogate depot to provide up-to-the-minute electric charging and maintenance services – while additional top-up charging facilities are also in place at Harrogate Bus Station.
Operations Director Vitto Pizzuti said:
“We’re excited to introduce these stunning new vehicles into service today on our route 1, delivering a revolution in quality for our customers while dramatically cutting our carbon footprint.
“At the development stage, we received valued feedback from our customers and several of their suggestions have been incorporated into our bespoke interior design.
“This interior specification has been carefully devised to make travelling by bus comfortable, accessible and attractive, with fast and free Wi-Fi and USB device charging, custom-designed seating in a part leather, part moquette design unique to us, a hearing loop and two colour audio-visual information screens, one facing the wheelchair space, giving constantly updated journey information.
"Each bus also features extensive safety systems, including electronic pedestrian and cyclist detection and automatic collision avoidance technology.
“Under the surface, there’s a powerful, zero emission electric motor which can provide all-day battery life – important for our busy routes. We’re confident that our customers will love their new electric buses, and we’ll continue their rollout in the weeks to come.”
The new electric single deck buses will also progressively replace existing diesel-powered vehicles on route 7 linking Harrogate, Wetherby and Leeds, and rural route 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge, as the remainder of the new fleet enters service.
Today’s new bus rollout is part of a wider programme which will ultimately introduce a completely new fleet of all-electric double and single deck buses worth £21 million to the Harrogate area.
A fully electric double deck bus destined for award-winning route 36, linking Harrogate with Leeds and Ripon, stole the show last week at Euro Bus Expo, a biannual showcase for the bus industry’s latest innovations at the NEC in Birmingham.
Full details of times and fares for route 1 and the full Harrogate network are available online at transdevbus.co.uk/harrogate and on the free Transdev Go mobile app, with printed timetables available on board buses and from Harrogate Bus Station.
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