Rotherham take delivery of electric bus fleet

Stagecoach have unveiled 23 new electric buses for Rotherham, in partnership with South Yorkshire Combined Authority and supported by Government funding.

The new ‘Electro’ branded vehicles will feature on the 22x and 221 routes which connect the Dearne Valley across Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.

The project is part of South Yorkshire’s first successful bid for Zero Emission Bus Regional Area funding (ZEBRA) from the Department for Transport  in partnership with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Stagecoach.

DfT contributed £8.35m, while SYMCA also provided £2.68m of their City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

£2.5m was spent on the Rawmarsh depot in Rotherham, providing the infrastructure needed to charge and maintain the electric buses.

Stagecoach used the launch as an opportunity to announce that its near-term greenhouse gas emission targets have been approved by corporate climate action organisation, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

The carbon reduction commitments include a 55.6% reduction in scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2032, with a 54.6% reduction in scope 3 emissions compared to 2019 levels. Stagecoach has also committed to continue to source 100% renewable energy through to FY2023.

Speaking of the new buses, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: ‘In South Yorkshire we’re committed to creating a greener future for the region and achieving net zero by 2040.

‘It’s estimated 200,000 people here live in areas vulnerable to air pollution.

‘That’s a challenge we simply have to address, and these new electric buses are a step in the right direction to making our air cleaner for everyone.

‘Not only will they improve public transport and make a contribution towards our net zero goals but they will help us on the path to a cleaner, greener, wealthier and healthier South Yorkshire.’

Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK at Pelican, who supplied the buses, said: ‘The launch event was the culmination of tireless work from the Stagecoach team and the wider community. They have developed superb vehicles with a new contemporary interior.

‘These are the first DC and pantograph charged vehicles delivered by Pelican into the UK. The vehicles were fully completed in the UK at our Castleford depot and we look forward to seeing them on the streets of Yorkshire.’