Bus Ambassador

A brand-new fleet of Bee Network buses is being rolled out to passengers in Bolton and Wigan. Transport for Greater Manchester By bringing buses under local control, Greater Manchester can define the types of buses that should run on Bee Network services – and now the first of 67 state-of-the-art low-emission buses, operated by Diamond, are taking to the streets. It follows the introduction of 50 new Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) in September, with a further 50 due to be introduced over the coming months. With investment from Diamond, via its contracts to run locally controlled services, passengers will experience improvements, including frequent services and better, more modern buses operating across Wigan and Bolton. The new fleet is serving communities that were often not prioritised by operators before franchising, with companies tending to target busier, more profitable routes. The routes the new buses are running on are just as important as busier routes and often provide the only a...

People of Liverpool and the Wirral, rejoice! Mayor Steve Rotheram has just unwrapped an early Christmas present for late-night commuters and shift workers alike: the revival of a cross river night bus service. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) In a move aimed at enhancing convenience for the Liverpool City Region, this nocturnal journey is set to re-enter the scene from the 8th December 2023, providing a lifeline for those working or enjoying the city's nightlife during the early hours. Operated by Stagecoach, the N1 will roll into action just before midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, traversing the Mersey Tunnel until approximately 5am. Mayor Rotheram, in collaboration with local campaigners, students, and the hospitality industry, has championed the return of this vital service, which faced suspension during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said, “We’re about to enter the busiest time of the year for our visit...

Strap yourselves in folks because we’re about to embark on a whirlwind adventure! Don’t go splashing out on any exotic holidays just yet - save your money for an epic ride of a lifetime! No, not Disney World - the bus journey through the Mersey Tunnel to Liverpool. What could be more thrilling than diving into the underwater realm right in your own backyard?! The Cross River bus that goes "Under the River" (Bus Ambassador) The Number One Reason You Should Do It? The Suspense. There's a bone-chilling thrill to gliding beneath the surface of the River Mersey in a state-of-the-art subaquatic carriage (AKA the bus), much like the impending excitement of bungee jumping, or your first date. Anything could happen! You wrestle your way on board one of these wondrous aluminium beasts and be prepared to have your heart racing faster than your average post-Christmas-sale rush! Your bus ticket won’t just be your fare, but a golden ticket to a magical subterranean world that even Alic...

Wrightbus, the pioneering manufacturer behind the world's most efficient battery electric double deck bus, is gearing up to expand its green footprint in London. Wrightbus The company has recently clinched a substantial order to deliver 34 additional StreetDeck Electroliner buses to Arriva in the capital. These new additions to London's electric fleet will undoubtedly help to revolutionise public transport, bringing an additional wave of sustainable and eco-friendly commuting to the city. The StreetDeck Electroliner: A Game Changer in Electric Transport Wrightbus's StreetDeck Electroliner has quickly become a trailblazer in the realm of electric buses. Combining cutting-edge technology with efficiency, these buses boast an impressive range and ultra-fast recharge times. Official assessments conducted by UTAC using the ZEMO-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) test have revealed outstanding results. The Electroliner achieved a remarkable energy consumption rate of just 0...

A significant development has been announced by Transdev today. The Keighley Bus Company have made a substantial £7.5 million investment in 15 new electric buses, aimed at transforming one of their most popular routes, The Shuttle, which connects Keighley and Bradford in West Yorkshire, into a zero-emission operation. Alex Hornby With support of £3.1 million from the Government's Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) fund, secured through a successful bid by their partner, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, this initiative is set to make a real impact. The 15 electric buses are all Mercedes-Benz E-Citaro models. This comes on the heels of another order for 20 similar vehicles that will be deployed in the Leeds, Wetherby and Harrogate areas. These new buses are designed to meet the requirements of Bradford's Clean Air Zone, which was launched in September 2022 and covers all vehicles except private cars and motorcycles. Notably, one year on, Bradford has reported its lowest r...

The Liverpool City Region is taking a significant step towards enhancing its bus services throughout the region. Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced plans to introduce franchising, a move that will allow the region to have more control over bus routes and fares. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) A New Era for Public Transport in Liverpool Mayor Rotheram believes that this decision marks the beginning of a new era for public transport in Liverpool. He stated,  “Today marks the start of a new era for public transport in our area – we’re taking back control of our buses! “Hundreds of thousands of people in our area rely on buses to get about every day, with 82% of all public transport journeys taken by bus. Yet, for far too long, our residents have been forced to contend with a second-class service that places profit before passengers and leaves behind the very people who need it most. “Today we have chosen a completely new course for the future of our buses. Under franchising, we will hav...

Lothian Buses has today, 20th September 2023, announced an order for 50 new Volvo BZL Electric double deck buses, each with MCV bodywork, for Scotland’s capital city. Volvo Buses At an investment of over £24 million, Lothian will introduce these new vehicles in two batches across 2024, with the first vehicles appearing on Edinburgh’s streets in early spring. This investment cements the company’s commitment to reduce emissions and improve air quality in its operating environment. Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Lothian, said: “We are delighted to be working with Volvo Buses to introduce a fleet of 50 zero emission double decks to our fleet. Lothian continues to support the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council’s strategies to improve local air quality, and this level of investment ensures that we as a business are playing our part in improving air quality across the city. “These buses are not only fitted with the latest zero tailpipe emission drivelines; they also offer an ...

London, the bustling capital, has reached a momentous milestone as it proudly welcomes its 1,000th zero emission bus to its iconic red bus fleet. These green buses, including the one running on route 204, account for more than one in nine of the city's distinctive red buses. It's like watching a magic trick as these buses have gone green, leaving a trail of cleaner air and a greener future for all Londoners. Transport for London Driving Towards a Greener London Since 2021, Transport for London (TfL) has shown its commitment to environmental sustainability by ensuring that all new vehicles joining the fleet are zero emission. This move has made TfL the green heartbeat of London, setting an example for others to follow. In addition to the zero emission buses, all other buses in the TfL fleet are low emission and meet or even exceed Euro VI emission standards, making them comparable to the Ultra Low Emission Zone. TfL has ambitious plans to transition to a fully zero emission bus ...

Warrington Borough Council is moving ahead with the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme and has now signed an agreement with Volvo Buses. The order has officially been placed for 105 Volvo BZL Electric vehicles. Warrington Borough Council The council has also awarded the contract for the bus chargers to power the new electric buses. EO Charging, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions for fleets – will supply the chargers, which will be installed at Warrington’s brand new bus depot. All energy will be supplied directly by one of the council’s own solar farms. It means the countdown can now begin to the arrival of Warrington’s all electric bus fleet – replacing Warrington’s Own Buses’ entire fleet of diesel buses – in 2024. The state-of-the-art Volvo BZL Electric, which will soon be making Warrington its home, provides clean, near-silent, comfortable and efficient public transport. It is built to a high safety standard and complies with the toughest re...

The future of sustainable transportation is here, and it starts with The Go-Ahead Group's newest addition to their fleet of buses. The transportation company has recently introduced a fleet of 20 GB Kite Hydroliner buses from Wrightbus, set to be deployed on Fastway BRT services in the Crawley, Horley and Gatwick Airport area. But that's not all – an additional 34 vehicles will be joining the fleet over the next 18 months to create one of Britain's largest hydrogen bus fleets. Wrightbus This is a significant move towards greener and more environmentally-friendly public transportation. The hydrogen-powered buses emit only water vapour, which means that they have zero harmful emissions that are damaging to our planet and our health. The introduction of this new fleet is expected to make a substantial contribution towards reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality, in line with the UK's goals of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. But, what is hydrogen, ...

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire has today, Tuesday 20th June 2023, announced that it will be acquiring the bus services, contracts, the majority of vehicles and employees of Liverpool independent bus operator Peoplesbus on Sunday 9th July 2023. Tom Harrison (Bus Ambassador) Twenty-one Peoplesbus employees and twenty-three vehicles will relocate from Peoplesbus Aintree depot to Stagecoach’s nearby Gillmoss site along with all tendered local and school bus services and a network of commercial school and football services. The acquired operations will operate as Stagecoach and the vehicles will initially be rebranded and gradually repainted. Peoplesbus was founded by Andrew Cawley in June 2001, with one Leyland National bus, operating a number of weekend only services. In April 2002, the first Merseytravel school service was secured. The operation grew to a peak of thirty-two vehicles, with school contracts forming the core of the operation, supported in later years by tendered...