Newport adds to its electric bus numbers with fresh order

Image

Newport Transport has confirmed a new order with Pelican Bus and Coach for an additional 16 fully electric zero-emission Yutong buses, with an expected delivery of December 2021.

The order will make use of an additional funding of £2.8 million from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and its commercial partnerships with Newport Transport ordering five new Yutong E12 single deck buses and eleven new Yutong E10 single deck buses, 

The current fleet of 15 Yutong E12 plus one Yutong E10 have been in operation in the city of Newport since October 2020 and these additional buses, imported via Pelican Bus & Coach, will bring the number of fully electric zero emission buses at Newport Bus to 32, equating to a third of the fleet meaning that by 2022, 43% of the daily bus services in the city will be via zero emission vehicles. 

Key to the latest order is the fact that the new shorter Yutong E10 vehicles will enable Newport Bus to operate in areas not suitable to the longer E12 vehicles and densely populated districts on the outskirts of the city centre such as St Julians and the Gaer will soon be serviced by an electric-powered bus service.

Scott Pearson, Managing Director at Newport Transport said: “At Newport Transport, we are committed to delivering a green recovery to the people of Newport. This earlier than expected financial support from the DfT enables us to deliver at pace on our vision of a fleet with zero emissions at the tailpipe. 

“This new investment will bring Newport Transport’s investment in electric buses and the related infrastructure to £15 million over the financial years 20/21 and 21/22. I would also like to extend our thanks to Steve Meersman, from Zenobe Energy and Ian Downie from Pelican Bus and Coach without whom it would have taken us a lot longer to deliver emission-free transport to the people of Newport."