Bus company Stagecoach announces all-electric city bus network move for Inverness from the end of 2022
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A MAJOR bus company operating in the Highlands has announced today (August 23) that plans are underway to roll out an all-electric city bus network for Inverness by the end of the year.
Stagecoach will be introducing a £9.1m fleet in Inverness with a total of 25 new electric midibuses introduced from late 2022 across routes 1 and 9, replacing the city’s diesel bus fleet.
The move is partly funded by the Scottish Government through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB), a scheme designed to support the transition to zero-emission technologies as part of Scotland’s overall target to achieve net zero by 2045.
Perth will also benefit from the investment, with a £4.8m fleet of 13 buses to be introduced by early 2023.
Sam Greer, Stagecoach regional director for Scotland, said: “As part of our drive to target a net zero UK bus fleet by 2035, we are excited to be announcing our plans to deliver the UK’s first all-electric city bus networks, building further on the investment made in new zero emission buses in a number of places in the UK.
“An investment of almost £14m, supported by the ScotZEB fund, will see new state-of-the-art electric buses introduced across Inverness and Perth that will help deliver significantly reduced emissions in these major cities.
“One of the quickest ways local people can help deliver net zero is by switching from cars to buses, as well as walking and cycling more. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Scottish Government and local transport authorities on measures to deliver more priority for bus passengers, more reliable services, simpler ticketing and the best value fares.”
This comes as Stagecoach Highland has recently received criticism for the cancellations and delays on services in the city due to an ongoing shortage of bus drivers.
New zero emission buses (ZEBs) are also being introduced over the coming months on Stagecoach networks across other areas in Scotland including Aberdeen, Ayr, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Kilmarnock as part of the ScotZEB plans.
The funding announced earlier this year as part of the ScotZEB initiative follows two rounds of funding under the predecessor Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS) in September 2020 and March 2021. The funding stream is designed to encourage the market to agree and implement new and innovative ways to finance zero emission buses.
Over the past 14 months, Stagecoach has rolled out 52 new electric buses across its networks in Scotland as part of the SULEBS, with a further six electric buses introduced across the west of Scotland in partnership with SP Energy Networks.
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “I’m pleased that Scottish Government investment continues to rapidly transform bus fleets across the country.
“This latest announcement from Stagecoach is welcome, and is fantastic news for everyone who lives in, works and visits Inverness and Perth. 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.”
