Stagecoach passengers set to benefit from UK's largest bus order during 2022

Stagecoach passengers are set to benefit from a multi-million pound investment in 200 new low-emission double decker buses, which will be introduced across the country during 2023. It represents the largest single order placed in the UK bus industry this year.

Passengers in towns and cities across the UK will see the new buses start to be delivered from March 2023. The 200 buses will be introduced in areas as far south as Torquay, to up as far as Newcastle in the north east.

The new buses will be manufactured in the UK by Alexander Dennis. They feature Euro VI engines, which are significantly cleaner engines, helping to cut carbon emissions. This investment means that Stagecoach will remove older buses from its fleet, benefitting local air quality.

Stagecoach is continuing to cut carbon emissions as part of its sustainability strategy, with the target of a zero emissions UK bus fleet by 2035. During 2021-2022, through modal shift, Stagecoach bus services helped to avoid over 19,000 tonnes of CO2. The 200 new double decker buses will help reduce a further 3,500 of carbon tonnes per year.

In Scotland, Stagecoach has also announced that it will be introducing the UK’s first all-electric city bus networks in Inverness and Perth, with a fleet of 38 new e-buses helping to drive cleaner air in these two major cities.

Sam Greer, Regional Director for Stagecoach, said: “We are proud of the continued investment we are making to our fleet with the largest single order for new buses in the UK this year. This really shows our commitment to the future prosperity of our communities and to our people who can all benefit from cleaner transport and a growing bus sector.

“These new double decker buses will complement the investment we are already making with our electric buses to modernise our fleet in some of Britain’s major towns and cities, enabling reduced pollution and meaning customers will see more comfortable, quieter and newer vehicles on their everyday journeys.

“We look forward to working with ADL to get our new buses into service starting early next year.”

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to continue to support Stagecoach in making buses across the UK cleaner and greener. Our low-emission Enviro400 is a tried and tested product that combines efficiency with high passenger capacity. Robust and easy to maintain, the 200 new buses will integrate seamlessly into Stagecoach’s fleet.

“After the challenges both operators and manufacturers in the UK bus industry have faced in the last years, it is a heartening step on the road to recovery to see significant volumes of vehicles being ordered again by the country’s largest bus operator, Stagecoach.”

The 200 new low-emission Enviro400 double decker buses will replace older buses in the Stagecoach fleet and will be introduced in: Oxford, Manchester, Yorkshire, Preston, Northampton, Mansfield, Portsmouth, Chichester, Winchester, Torquay, Folkestone and Newcastle.