A new fleet of 42 electric buses has started carrying passengers around Hull, in what’s being described as the city’s biggest bus investment in 125 years.
The £28 million joint investment from Stagecoach East Midlands, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Department for Transport launched at an event at the MKM Stadium. The buses are markedly quieter than diesel equivalents, emitting as little as 50 decibels, about the level of a normal conversation, against 72 decibels for a typical diesel bus, and need servicing only every six weeks rather than four.
They’re also fitted with electric parking brakes, hill-start assist and electric “smart” mirrors designed to improve visibility, particularly in low light.
Electric buses launched on services 3, 5 and 12 from Monday 10 August, with services 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 to follow. Stagecoach intends for 55 buses in its Hull fleet to be electric within 12 months, backed by 56 new charging points at its Foster Street depot.
A fully-charged electric double-decker has a range of around 260 miles and a single-decker around 300 miles, against a typical Hull bus’s daily mileage of 135 miles.
Confidence in Hull’s future
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, the council’s cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “Stagecoach’s new electric buses are a fantastic step forward for Hull. They’re cleaner, quieter and more reliable and they will make everyday journeys easier for thousands of people across our city. This investment shows real confidence in Hull’s future. Modern, dependable public transport is essential for a growing city and these new buses will help us deliver exactly that.”
Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “We are so proud to be bringing these wonderful new vehicles to our loyal customers in Hull. Investments like this aim to offer a more reliable and more comfortable service as well as cleaner air for everyone. Our ongoing multi-million-pound investment will continue to decarbonise our fleet while bringing state-of-the-art bus travel to our customers. As we invest in a new electric fleet to bring more sustainable public transport, we would encourage everyone to leave their cars at home and give our new buses a go.”
The launch coincides with the Government’s Great British Summer Savings Scheme, which lets under-16s travel free on local buses through August and caps adult single fares at £3.
The Mayor for Hull and East Yorkshire has also funded a 50% discount for 16-to-19-year-olds on Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire services, meaning a single fare for that age group costs £1.50, or £3 for a return, throughout August.
