National transport operators, the Stagecoach Group, are set to invest £60 million on updating their fleet with greener and environmentally friendly buses and coaches. The first of the eco-friendly coaches are expected to be up and running as part of the Stagecoach network from as early as May this year.
In total, Stagecoach is planning to buy 390 new vehicles with their £60 million fund with the new coaches and buses being added to the operator’s fleet between 2012 and 2013. There are also suggestions that the transport provider is planning to order more green buses at the end of the year.
The new order of buses and coaches will include the UK’s first 15 metre inter-deck coach which will be used on the operator’s budget long distance transport service, megabus.com. All of the new buses will meet the updated Euro 5 emissions standards so they will help reduce total CO2 emissions across the Stagecoach fleet considerably.
A range of manufacturers are involved in fulfilling the 390 vehicle order including Volvo, Wrightbus, AFL, Van Hool, Scania, Plaxton and Optare who will be supplying Stagecoach with a selection of coaches and minibuses including 11 minibuses, 87 single-decker coaches, 95 double-decker coaches, 19 hybrid vehicles, 37 standard coaches, 11 minibuses and 141 midi-coaches.
The new greener vehicles will be used on regional Stagecoach routes travelling in England, Scotland and Wales, but outside of the capital.
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