Mellor has begun delivering 33 Strata Plus low-floor buses to replace West Yorkshire's AccessBus fleet, as part of a £6.5m programme run by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). Mellor Bus The order was awarded earlier this year, and Mellor says the ultra-low emission vehicles will be introduced progressively across the region. WYCA said the buses being replaced were between 11 and 18 years old when the programme was announced.
At Busworld Europe 2025, BMC unveiled its next-generation PROCITY+ 12M and 18M models, alongside the compact NEOCITY 8.5M EV. Developed in partnership with KIEPE, these vehicles aim to bring practical, zero-emission solutions to urban networks across Europe and beyond. But are they just more electric buses, or genuinely smarter options for operators? Let’s take a closer look.
Tom Harrison (Bus Ambasasador)
PROCITY+ 12M EV: compact, capable, connected
The PROCITY+ 12M EV is BMC’s answer to city operators seeking a reliable electric bus with fast charging and a decent daily range. Co-developed with KIEPE, the battery and charging systems are compatible with CCS2 plugs and pantographs for flexibility in depots and on-route top-ups.
Key specs
Parameter
Value
Notes
Battery capacity
362–434 kWh
NMC technology, two options
Range
350–450 km
Urban conditions, depends on load and driving style
Charging
2–2.5 h standard DC, 1 h fast charge
20–80% state of charge
Length
12 m
Single-deck urban bus
Power
Not specified
Electric traction system
Highlights
Zero emissions, comfortable interiors, practical charging
Designed for city networks
PROCITY+ 18M EV: longer, heavier, still electric
The 18-metre articulated PROCITY+ EV takes the same core concept and stretches it for high-capacity urban corridors. LFP battery options from 466 kWh to 704 kWh provide longer ranges, while fast charging keeps turnaround times reasonable.
Key specs
Parameter
Value
Notes
Battery capacity
466–704 kWh
LFP technology, multiple options
Range
Varies with load
Urban operation
Charging
3 h standard DC, 1.5 h fast charge
20–80% state of charge
Length
18 m
Articulated bus
Power
Not specified
Electric traction system
Highlights
High-capacity urban transport, practical charging
Suitable for busy corridors
NEOCITY 8.5M EV: small but nimble
The NEOCITY 8.5M EV targets tighter urban streets. Equipped with a TM4 SUMO MD3000 permanent magnet asynchronous motor, it delivers 235 kW of peak power and has an impressively tight turning radius thanks to its independent front axle design.
BMC
Key specs
Parameter
Value
Notes
Battery capacity
198–264 kWh
Extended range for compact urban routes
Power
235 kW max
Permanent magnet asynchronous motor
Length
8.5 m
Small city bus footprint
Turning radius
Smallest in class
Independent front axle
Highlights
High manoeuvrability, electric drive, zero emissions
West Yorkshire's new Weaver Network buses are taking shape at the Wrightbus factory in Northern Ireland, with Mayor Tracy Brabin among those getting a first look at the fleet before they head to Yorkshire. West Yorkshire Combined Authority The vehicles are being assembled ahead of their rollout from spring 2027, when the Weaver Network comes into effect. Wrightbus won the contract to build almost 200 new electric buses in May, following a competitive process.
Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled 'Buses for London', a new publicly owned bus company for the capital, and named route 6 as the first service it will run. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) The company is due to launch in late 2027, with Park Royal Depot in west London as its first operational base. A further four routes will be announced over the coming year and are due to transfer from 2028. TfL says the company will let it test new approaches to reliability, safety, decarbonisation, customer experience and driver welfare. It also means any profits can be reinvested in the transport network. How London's Buses Work Today For readers outside the capital, London's bus system works differently from most of Britain. London was not part of bus deregulation in 1986. Instead, TfL plans the routes, sets fares and timetables, and pays private companies to run the buses. Operators bid for each route. Contracts generally run for seven years and pay the operator a set income ...
Seven British-built Treka CitySprint minibuses are entering service in the Liverpool City Region, giving the new franchised Metro bus network a compact option for routes where larger buses are not suitable. The vehicles are built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, with bodywork by Treka Bus at its factory in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. They have been delivered to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA). Three have gone to St Helens and four to Wirral. Treka Bus St Helens became the first part of the city region to bring its buses back under public control on 6th September. Wirral follows on 25th October 2026, and bus franchising will then be extended across the rest of the region throughout 2027.
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