Ruddington’s main bus operator has announced that its entire fleet of single decker buses will be fully electrified from next year.
This includes replacing the three diesel-powered Navy 3 branded Optare Solo buses which Nottingham City Transport uses for its Nottingham to Clifton route via Ruddington. The city is to receive £15 million of Government funding towards the cost of 78 brand new buses in total, plus the additional required electric charging infrastructure. All NCT’s existing single decker fleet – serving 18 bus routes across the Greater Nottingham area – will then be replaced, starting in 2023.
The move has been made possible because there are now all-electric single decker buses available which can achieve over 200 miles’ range on a single overnight recharge – enough for a whole day’s use. This avoids the need for additional vehicles and midday charging, as has previously been the case.
The funding comes from the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, which was launched last year to allow local transport authorities to bid for funding to purchase zero emission buses. Nottingham is one of twelve areas in England to be awarded money in the Department for Transport announcement made on 26th March 2022.
David Astill, Nottingham City Transport’s Managing Director, says: “The electrification of our bus fleet is not a commercial proposition without this significant ZEBRA funding. This will now help us to progress our ambitious plans to become one of the UK’s first carbon neutral bus operators. Our thanks to Nottingham City Council, who played an important part in developing our successful bid.”
Councillor Rosemary Healy, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for Transport adds: “It’s fantastic news that we have received this funding to expand our city’s green bus fleet. Nottingham is leading the way with our green buses, we already have 120 bio gas and 29 electric buses in our city and 78 new electric buses will be a welcome sight. Greener buses help to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, which has a major impact on the health of our citizens and the planet. Plus, newer buses offer a more comfortable journey for passengers too. It’s great that we’re working with NCT to help them become one of the UK’s first carbon neutral bus operators, and Nottingham a carbon neutral city by 2028.”
NCT reveals it has trialled several electric demonstration buses over recent months. Manufacturers will shortly be invited to submit their bid to supply its electric bus fleet, including vehicles which will be serving passengers in Ruddington alongside the Biogas powered Green 10 double deckers introduced in 2017. It’s anticipated that, by the time these need replacing, all-electric double deckers with the 250 miles’ daily range NCT needs for some routes will also have become available.
Given the grave concerns about climate change, and rising pollution levels in Ruddington not helped by the increase in traffic to all the new build estates in and around our village, it’s hoped the introduction of ‘zero tailpipe emission’ Navy 3 buses can help the situation. It also may allow future fare increases to be kept to a minimum – due to the much cheaper running and servicing costs of electric vehicles.
NCT’s announcement is especially welcome news for environmentally conscious Ruddington residents who were disappointed to see CT4N re-introducing diesel powered buses on its number 22 and 23 routes three years’ ago. These services were previously all-electric when part of its ‘free’ LocalLink network.
