Transdev orders 15 electric E-Citaros to convert route

Transdev has placed an order worth £7.5 million for 15 new Mercedes-Benz E-Citaro electric buses to convert one of its most popular routes. The Shuttle, linking Keighley and Bradford, is to go zero-emission as a result of the investment.

The orders are supported by £3.1 million of funding from the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) funding, following a successful bid by Transdev’s partner, West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The order for the 15 buses follows a separate order for 20 similar vehicles for use in the Leeds, Wetherby and Harrogate areas. The new buses will be fully compliant with Bradford’s Clean Air Zone.

Transdev’s new vehicle order follows successful trials of several types of all-electric buses on the high-frequency Shuttle route, which operates up to every 15 minutes, as well as on its busy North Yorkshire route 1 linking Harrogate and Knaresborough. As part of its vehicle trials, Transdev invited its customers to rate key design features on each bus tested, with feedback incorporated into the specifications of the new buses now on order.

“Higher power output delivered by today’s new generation batteries means each bus can go further between charge-ups” – Transdev Managing Director, Henri Rohard

Transdev Managing Director, Henri Rohard, said: “We’re delighted to announce this significant order for 15 new electric buses which will deliver the best experience for our customers as well as helping to clear the air in West Yorkshire.

“The project has been made possible thanks to the significant support from the Government’s ZEBRA fund, in addition to our introduction of 39 new electric buses in and around Harrogate.

“Transdev is also directly investing £4.4 million in these new buses for our Shuttle route between Bradford and Keighley, representing almost 60 per cent of their total cost. The new buses are expected to be in service by the end of next year.

“Higher power output delivered by today’s new generation batteries means each bus can go further between charge-ups, while helping us to provide our customers with the reliable and punctual service they rightly expect from us.”

Today’s news is also being welcomed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which submitted a successful bid to Government for £24 million to support West Yorkshire’s three major bus operators, including Transdev, with the introduction of zero emission electric buses.