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LCR to Secure Bus Depots in Major Franchising Move

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Bus services across the Liverpool City Region are set for a major transformation, with plans for a fully publicly-run bus network moving forward at pace. The introduction of a franchised system will see services brought under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years, promising more frequent buses, better connections and improved infrastructure. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Franchising is Coming Sooner Than Planned You’ve probably heard about the move to bus franchising—where routes, fares and timetables will be planned by the public sector rather than private companies—but here’s what’s happening next. The first phase kicks off in St Helens and Wirral, with the new system up and running by September 2026. The whole region should be fully franchised by the end of 2027, a year ahead of schedule. Mayor Steve Rotheram, said: “Reliable, regular, and affordable buses are the backbone of a great public transport system. They connect people to work, education, and each ...

Stagecoach Confirms Landmark Order for 158 Yutong Electric Buses

Stagecoach has taken another big step towards a greener future by placing a major order for 158 electric buses from Pelican Bus and Coach. This new order, on top of the recent delivery of 23 single-deckers to Sheffield, solidifies Stagecoach's position as the largest operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK.

Pelican Bus & Coach

The buses, set to be deployed across various depots in England, will be funded through a combination of Stagecoach, local authorities, and national government initiatives. This move underscores Stagecoach's dedication to sustainable transport and its ongoing efforts to connect communities in an eco-friendly way.

Additional Orders for Single-Deckers

Following the recent delivery of 23 single-deckers to Sheffield, Pelican has secured additional orders totalling 158 single-deck electric buses. This means Stagecoach is now the largest operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK, with over 200 orders.

Deployment Across England

These new buses will be deployed across several Stagecoach depots in England, including:

  • Chesterfield
  • Slatyford
  • Rugby
  • Leamington
  • Nuneaton
  • Stockton
  • Preston
  • Sunderland

Funding and Support

The buses will be jointly funded by Stagecoach, local authorities, and national government through three different funding streams: the Sunderland Levelling Up fund, Coventry’s Full Electric City scheme, and the second round of Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) funding.

Partnership with Pelican

Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK at Pelican, expressed his delight:

“We are absolutely delighted to receive these order awards from Stagecoach. Our vehicles have been successfully launched in Warwick, Inverness, and now Sheffield, with superb feedback. The buses feature state-of-the-art air conditioning and customer-centric features, and the reliability and performance of the Yutong product will continue to support Stagecoach's operations. We have forged an excellent partnership with Stagecoach, and the total orders of an additional 158 vehicles are testament to this relationship. The vehicles are completed at our dealership in Castleford, and Pelican will support them throughout their service life.”

Commitment to Sustainability

Tony Cockcroft, Stagecoach Asset Management and Infrastructure Director, highlighted the company’s commitment:

“Being the largest operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK affirms Stagecoach’s commitment to connecting communities across the UK sustainably and efficiently. Introducing these new electric vehicles brings us a step closer to realising our goal of being fully net zero and more energy efficient.”

Delivery Timeline

The vehicles will be delivered from July 2024, with all units expected to be in service by Q3 2025. The orders were placed only a few weeks ago, demonstrating the swift rollout capabilities of Stagecoach and Pelican for zero-emission vehicles.

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LCR to Secure Bus Depots in Major Franchising Move