New Inverness fleet of electric buses announced after Deputy Provost Jackie Hendry meets Stagecoach Highland managing director David Beaton about poor service levels and recruitment drive
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INVERNESS is set to be the first city in Scotland whose bus network will be operated entirely by electric vehicles.
Stagecoach Highland has invested up to £10.4 million to create the all-electric fleet of 25 new ‘midibuses’ across routes one and nine, to replace the city’s diesel fleet.
The news came after Inverness Deputy Provost Jackie Hendry met with bus bosses to discuss concerns raised by constituents about poor service levels.
“After I had initially communicated with Stagecoach and the issues raised were explained to myself, and in turn to the constituents, I came to realise that there was a lot more to it and the only way to find out more was to go and see them, how they operate and what challenges they may be facing,” she said.
The Inverness Ness-side SNP councillor met with Stagecoach Highland managing director David Beaton and other senior managers and was told the biggest challenge the firm faced was driver recruitment. This has prompted events aimed at attracting new drivers, like one held at Caledonian Stadium last weekend.
“They need drivers for a timetable that starts at 4.30am and finishes after midnight as well as cover for sudden absences, such as for Covid, which is still prevalent,” she said.
“This is not an issue specific to Stagecoach, I am hearing of many organisations who are struggling to recruit.”
While Stagecoach has an app which provides up-to-date information on particular bus routes, she added: “They are aware that not everyone uses the app and are are striving to keep using various communication channels to let their customers know what is going on.”
She said that, despite the current difficulties, she felt optimistic about the longer-term future of public transport in the Highlands, including the new electric fleet.
“This will mean Inverness will be the first city in Scotland to have its whole city network operated by electric vehicles,” she said.
“The cost of the project is £10.4 million in vehicles and associated infrastructure, of which £5 million comes from government funding from the Scotzeb (Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund) award, the balance provided by Stagecoach.
“We expect the first one to arrive during October, which will be used for driver training, with the remainder of the fleet coming during November.”
Plans are afoot for similar moves in other Scottish cities.
Scotland’s transport minister Jenny Gilruth said: “I’m pleased that Scottish Government investment continues to rapidly transform bus fleets across the country.
“Not only will these new buses help reduce transport emissions and respond to the climate emergency, they will improve local air quality too.
“Stagecoach have been a valued partner in our bus decarbonisation taskforce. They understand that to respond to the climate emergency, we all need to accelerate the transition to a zero emission bus fleet as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing these latest electric buses soon, which I know continue to be welcomed by customers across Scotland.”
Stagecoach will have a recruitment stand at the Kessock Bridge zipline event in aid of Highland Hospice on Saturday, September 3.
Other events will be held at University of the Highlands and Islands freshers’ fairs across the region: Dornoch Campus on Tuesday, September 6; Alness Campus on Wednesday, September 7 and Thurso Campus on Thursday, September 8.
A further event will take place at the UHI Inverness campus on Monday, September 19.
