Fifty zero-emission electric double-decker buses will be coming to Plymouth this year as part of a major £31.87 million joint investment in the city’s public transport.
Key Takeaways
- Significant Investment in Green Transport: Plymouth Citybus, in partnership with local and national authorities, is investing £31.87 million to introduce 50 zero-emission electric double-decker buses to the city’s public transport network.
- Improved Service and Capacity: The new electric buses will enhance passenger experience and increase capacity on key routes in Plymouth, including routes 21/A, 42, 50/51, and the Rame Peninsula’s route 70 in Cornwall.
- Commitment to Sustainability: This initiative is part of Plymouth’s broader commitment to reducing emissions and achieving net-zero by 2030, with the upgraded Milehouse depot providing the infrastructure to support the new fleet.
Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, will soon be replacing almost half its fleet with brand new electric double-decker buses, in a collaboration with Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, and the Department for Transport.
The investment marks a significant step towards cleaner, greener public transport in Plymouth and reinforces the city’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. It will also create additional capacity and improve passenger experience across the network.
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The new electric buses will operate on the 21/A, 42 and 50/51 routes in Plymouth, with six buses serving Cornwall’s Rame Peninsula on route 70.
The majority of the funding – £19.6 million – is being provided by Plymouth Citybus, supported by a £10.34 million grant from the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 Fund and contributions from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council totalling £1.94 million.
The buses will start arriving in Plymouth in late spring, with the first 25 entering service in the summer and all 50 being out on the road by the end of the year.
Plymouth Citybus is transforming its Milehouse depot into a state-of the art hub equipped to charge and maintain the new zero-emission fleet.
Richard Stevens, managing director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus said:
“We are proud to lead the way in delivering cleaner, greener, and more sustainable public transport for Plymouth.
“The introduction of 50 zero-emission electric buses represents a huge step forward in our commitment to reducing emissions, improving air quality, and providing a modern, reliable service for our passengers.
This investment not only reflects our dedication to the local community but also to a more sustainable future for our city.”
Councillor Mark Coker, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said:
“We’ve committed to making Plymouth a greener city, where everyone does their bit and this is exactly what our ZEBRA project delivers.
“It will help meet the vision of our Bus Service Improvement Plan, which is to create a thriving bus network where everyone can be connected to important people and places, by services that are frequent, reliable, fast, affordable, safe and clean, as well as help Plymouth to achieve its net zero goals by 2030.
“We are really excited to be working alongside our project partners to introduce these new buses to the city’s fleet.”
