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Here at eCoachManager we are fully aware of the problems that can crop up for coach and bus operators. From large fleets to one driver operators there are many factors that have to be attended to on a day to day basis.

The solution that eCoachManager offers many coach and bus operators has proven to be invaluable for operations. And with new greener technologies hitting the market then the time has come to review all of your business.

In this blog we will look at the trend for more electric buses to hit the streets of our crowded and smoke congested cities, and a new huge investment by Stagecoach on the roads of Manchester.

Stagecoach Announce a Huge Investment for Electric Buses

Aug 2018, the huge group transportation operator Stagecoach announce a new plan to invest fifty six million pounds for electric buses in Greater Manchester. This investment is in collaboration with Transport of Greater Manchester and the city mayor.

All together there will be 105 new zero emission double-decker buses complete with the necessary infrastructure to make them commissionable. The first of the buses will come into operation in summer 2019 with the whole fleet to be in place by the first quarter of 2020.

The Cooperation

Stagecoach have pledged to invest GBP 36.4m in this project which has the full backing of Andy Burnham who is the Greater Manchester Mayor, plus Transport for Greater Manchester and also other key stakeholders.

However, the plans are all dependent on the support from the Government’s Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme forking out GBP 21.5 million to the project.

The Buses

The brand new double-decker buses will be the new Enviro400 EV City Vehicles. These impressive buses have a range of 190 miles on a full charge with capacity for eighty passengers. They will be made by Alexander Dennis with the batteries and electric expertise coming from BYD.

Infrastructure Investment

The new buses will of course have the appropriate infrastructure made available so that they can become operational. So a multi-million-pound investment will also be made to deliver the power requirements these vehicles will need.

The plan is to use intelligent chargers to limit loadings on the electricity grid and to maximise the availability of all the new buses.

An executive from Stagecoach issued an announcement introducing the upcoming scheme: This game-changing initiative is the biggest single investment in e-bus technology anywhere in Europe. It is a clear sign of our bold ambition to transform Greater Manchester’s bus network.

The proposed plans by Stagecoach would see the present vehicles which are Euro III and Euro IV based in Sharston and Hyde Road depots all replaced by the new Enviro400 EV City Vehicles.

The depots will be fitted with 24 hour charging capacity and allow the fleet to be charged simultaneously which will also give a 24 hour operation.

If you are interested in news and upcoming stories in connection with the coach and bus industry then please keep apprised by our continuously updated blog pages.