London (TAN): United Kingdom-based transport firm Stagecoach Group has ordered vehicles valued over GBP80 million to handle issues such as car congestion and quality of air, a move that is certain to be appreciated by environmentally-conscious passengers and tourists.
The company will procure 351 ‘greener’ buses and coaches to serve Stagecoach’s regional networks in England, Scotland, and Wales, and Megabus routes across the country from the forthcoming 2019-20 financial year. Megabus is a United Kingdom-based long-distance coach operator run by Stagecoach.
Stagecoach has also ordered 48 electric buses for Manchester and South Wales that are partially sponsored by the United Kingdom government’s Green Bus Fund.
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“This is a huge investment by the private sector in providing better mobility and better air quality in local communities. It follows other significant investment that we’ve made in smart ticketing, improved information for customers and digital technology,” Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said.
He added: “Delivering better bus services is a shared responsibility and it is absolutely essential that this commitment is matched by urgent action by local authorities to address the growing gridlock in our towns and cities. Without action on congestion, local people will not enjoy the full benefits of this investment and people’s quality of life, health and our economy will continue to be damaged by too many cars on the road.”
The new vehicles, most of which will be constructed in the country, comply with the government’s Low Carbon Emission Bus specification, and come with the latest Euro 6 emissions standard engines and electric vehicle technology.
While all the vehicles will feature Closed Circuit Television and USB charging points, nearly 75 per cent of the vehicles will have audio display systems to share information on the next stop. Many of these vehicles will also sport Wi-Fi with free internet access to passengers.
The planned order includes 131 low-floor double-decker vehicles, 95 single-deckers, 28 midibuses, 12 double-deckers for the Cambridge Guided Busway, 32 electric bus double-deckers, 12 electric bus single-deckers, four electric mini buses, 14 double-deck coaches, eight Caetano Levante Volvo B11R coaches, 12 MCV Volvo B8RLE single-deckers, and three 3 Optare Solo mini buses.
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