FirstGroup Takes the Wheel at Matthews Coach Hire

Stagecoach has taken another big step towards a greener future by placing a major order for 158 electric buses from Pelican Bus and Coach. This new order, on top of the recent delivery of 23 single-deckers to Sheffield, solidifies Stagecoach's position as the largest operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK.
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Pelican Bus & Coach |
The buses, set to be deployed across various depots in England, will be funded through a combination of Stagecoach, local authorities, and national government initiatives. This move underscores Stagecoach's dedication to sustainable transport and its ongoing efforts to connect communities in an eco-friendly way.
Following the recent delivery of 23 single-deckers to Sheffield, Pelican has secured additional orders totalling 158 single-deck electric buses. This means Stagecoach is now the largest operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK, with over 200 orders.
These new buses will be deployed across several Stagecoach depots in England, including:
The buses will be jointly funded by Stagecoach, local authorities, and national government through three different funding streams: the Sunderland Levelling Up fund, Coventry’s Full Electric City scheme, and the second round of Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) funding.
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK at Pelican, expressed his delight:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive these order awards from Stagecoach. Our vehicles have been successfully launched in Warwick, Inverness, and now Sheffield, with superb feedback. The buses feature state-of-the-art air conditioning and customer-centric features, and the reliability and performance of the Yutong product will continue to support Stagecoach's operations. We have forged an excellent partnership with Stagecoach, and the total orders of an additional 158 vehicles are testament to this relationship. The vehicles are completed at our dealership in Castleford, and Pelican will support them throughout their service life.”
Tony Cockcroft, Stagecoach Asset Management and Infrastructure Director, highlighted the company’s commitment:
“Being the largest operator of Yutong electric vehicles in the UK affirms Stagecoach’s commitment to connecting communities across the UK sustainably and efficiently. Introducing these new electric vehicles brings us a step closer to realising our goal of being fully net zero and more energy efficient.”
The vehicles will be delivered from July 2024, with all units expected to be in service by Q3 2025. The orders were placed only a few weeks ago, demonstrating the swift rollout capabilities of Stagecoach and Pelican for zero-emission vehicles.
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