Stagecoach is bringing 64 shiny new electric buses to the streets of Coventry and Warwickshire, all part of a bold £140m project to make Coventry the UK’s first fully electric bus town or city. That’s right—this isn’t just about a few green buses here and there; it’s a major leap forward for the Coventry Electric Bus City scheme.
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| West Midlands Combined Authority |
This means over 200 buses (a solid 80% of those running in and around Coventry) will soon be battery-powered, ready to cut carbon emissions and keep the air a whole lot cleaner.
Stagecoach has already snapped up 31 double-deckers from British manufacturer Alexander Dennis and 33 single-deckers from Pelican-Yutong, with charging points popping up at depots across Nuneaton, Leamington Spa, and Rugby. They’ll all be rolling out by spring, just in time to help the city ditch diesel for good.
And it’s not just the planet that benefits. Passengers are in for smoother, quieter rides with fancy perks like USB charging, free Wi-Fi, top-spec passenger info screens, and extra room for buggies and wheelchairs.
The funding for this eco-revolution? TfWM, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, secured £50m from the Department for Transport, unlocking £70m from bus operators and an extra £20m from TfWM and Warwickshire County Council.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“These new buses will make a big difference to the way people get around in Coventry. They’ll mean greater comfort and convenience for passengers and cleaner air for pedestrians and cyclists to breathe.
"Coventry Electric Bus City is just one part of our plans to create a greener, more affordable and more reliable bus network which better serves the people of the West Midlands."
Coventry City Council, a partner in the scheme, is also introducing priority measures for buses to support the new fleet. This is part of a broader transformation of the city’s bus services, focusing on better journey times and reliability.
Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director, said,
“We’re thrilled to be announcing this investment of over £33m on these 64 electric buses and the supporting infrastructure at our depots. This investment demonstrates Stagecoach’s confidence in the region and is evidence of us delivering our ambitions to transform bus services for the communities we serve.
“These buses mark a massive moment for the region as we take a huge step towards modernising our service. They will provide customers with more comfortable journeys and contribute towards cleaner, quieter neighbourhoods and a public transport system that is more sustainable and efficient.”
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said:
“It’s fantastic to see Stagecoach and TfWM roll out 64 electric buses in Coventry, taking the city another step closer to a fully zero-emission bus fleet, supported by £50m investment from Government.
“The new electric buses are a great vote of confidence in our mission to decarbonise transport, and our Buses Bill will empower local leaders to take back control of buses and deliver the modern, sustainable and affordable bus services local communities deserve.”
Cllr George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council, added,
“We’re delighted to be another step closer to being the first major city or town in the country to boast a fully electric bus fleet.
“Once the project is complete, Coventry residents will benefit from much cleaner air, with the obvious benefits of better health for young and old alike while the city will be served by some of the most modern buses in the UK.”
Cllr Jan Matecki, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for transport and planning, said,
“The new electric buses being provided through the Coventry Electric Bus City project will serve a variety of routes and communities in Warwickshire, including Warwick, Leamington, Rugby, Nuneaton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bedworth, and Kenilworth.
“This is a huge step forward for sustainable transport in our region, offering cleaner air and a quieter environment for everyone.
“As set out in the Warwickshire Bus Service Improvement Plan, we remain fully committed to our vision to work in partnership with bus operators to boost use, increase passenger satisfaction and make public transport a more attractive and cleaner option for residents. This investment will play an important role in achieving these goals and will help us reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for Warwickshire.”
Once all these buses are on the streets, Coventry’s set to show the rest of the UK what an all-electric bus town looks like.
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