Hold onto your seats – Warrington’s streets are about to get a whole lot greener. At a special Zero Emissions Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) event, Warrington unveiled its shiny new yellow eBus, giving locals their first glimpse of the eco-friendly fleet set to take over.
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| Warrington’s Own Buses / Volvo |
Picture this: 105 brand-new electric buses, set to phase out diesel ones. Yep, Warrington’s saying goodbye to fossil fuels and hello to state-of-the-art Volvo BZL Electrics. It’s one of the largest orders of electric buses in the UK, and it’s kicking off this summer.
This is more than just a fancy fleet – it’s Warrington’s leap towards a cleaner, quieter future. And the best part? The charging system for these buses will be powered entirely by green energy, thanks to EO Charging. No tailpipe emissions. Less noise. More breathe-easy moments for everyone.
Warrington Borough Council Leader and Cabinet Member for highways and transport, Cllr Hans Mundry, said:“These are exciting times for Warrington, with the introduction of our all-electric fleet set to transform bus travel in our borough.
“Our 105 buses will bring massive benefits for passengers, providing safe, quiet and comfortable journeys. These are buses which are truly fit for the future, with zero tailpipe emissions, which will improve air quality and support our work to tackle the climate emergency.
“We’ve made our ambitions clear, through our Local Transport Plan, to reduce emissions and congestion, increase the share of journeys made by bus and build sustainable transport into everyday life in Warrington. Our new electric buses will play a massive role in us achieving this.
“At the same time, we’ve been making enhancing our services across the board. This includes reduced fares – such as the newly announced £1 fare cap for all under 22s and free travel for all care leavers - enhanced timetables, all day concessionary pass use and new and improved bus shelters. Supported by these major improvements, our new electric fleet is set to usher in a bright new era for bus travel in Warrington.”
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| Warrington Borough Council |
What’s the big deal, you ask? Warrington’s zero-emission bus project is part of a wider government push through the ZEBRA scheme, designed to get 4,000 green buses on the roads across the UK. With £7.025 million of improvements in the bag, Warrington’s set to make waves with reduced fares and improved services. Adults can still travel for just £2 a ride, and young people get around for a single quid. Oh, and care leavers? They’ll soon be hopping on board for free.
With all these enhancements in place, Warrington’s already celebrating a future of safer, quieter, cleaner bus rides. Not just for passengers, but for the planet.
Volvo’s BZL Electric buses aren’t just green – they’re smart. Designed with comfort and safety in mind, these buses are practically whisper-quiet. You’ll be able to chat with your mate without yelling, or just chill out with your music, noise-free. Residents along the bus routes? They’ll enjoy a break from the usual hustle and bustle, too.
Volvo Bus UK & Ireland MD, Domenico Bondi, is pumped about this project.“This has been an exciting project to work on with the team in Warrington, building a sustainable and future-proof electric bus system which is going to be truly world-class. At Volvo Buses, we are incredibly proud of our commitment to sustainability, safety, and quality, and we are confident the BZL Electric buses will bring a wealth of benefits which will be felt across the local community.”
And it’s not just the buses that are getting a facelift – we’re talking new, high-tech bus shelters, improved timetables, and free, 24/7 travel for concessionary pass holders. Warrington’s future is looking bright – and green.
EO Charging is powering this electric revolution, setting up green chargers at the new bus depot.
CEO Charlie Jardine explains why this is a game-changer:
“Of all the vehicles on the road globally, commercial vehicles account for nearly half of road emissions. This is why fleet electrification is so critical, even more so than consumer vehicle electrification, in reducing carbon emissions globally."
“At EO, we are on a mission to power a greener future and accelerate the global transition to electric fleets - making net zero transport a reality. The bus sector is critical for us, and we’ve been lucky to work with some fantastic partners who hold the same values. Working with Warrington’s Own Buses and Volvo Buses shows those values put into action with a project that will usher in Warrington’s green transport era.”
With Warrington’s Own Buses covering 85% of bus miles in the borough, this transition to electric is a big step towards sustainable travel.
Managing Director, Ben Wakerley, says the council’s been forward-thinking in improving air quality and cutting down bus journey times.
“Warrington Borough Council have been very forward thinking with their commitment to improving air quality and improving bus journey times in the town. It is our pleasure to work in partnership with them, the UK government and all those involved in delivering this important project".
Warrington is truly leading the way in making buses better. So, next time you hop on one of these bright yellow eBuses, know that you’re part of something huge. It’s cleaner, greener, and about to make a real difference to the way we travel.
More buses, more savings, and more green energy. Warrington’s all-electric bus fleet is more than just a win for passengers – it’s a win for the environment and the entire community. So, what are you waiting for? All aboard Warrington’s green future!
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