The Harrogate Bus Company is celebrating after its flagship 36 bus route received a national award.
Linking Harrogate with Leeds and Ripon, the route/bus was named as Britain’s best zero emission transport innovation.
Judges at the national E-Mobility Awards selected the Starbeck-based operator’s multi-million pound project to deliver 19 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400EV double deck vehicles, part of a wider £21 million programme to replace its entire Harrogate fleet with new zero emission buses, as winner of the Best Bus Innovation trophy.
The company’s mission to convert its Starbeck depot to 100% electric bus operation presented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to work with engineers at a leading bus manufacturer to develop a new bus design capable of building on The 36’s potential for further growth.
Working in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, Government funding worth £7.8 million was secured to support just over a third of the total cost.
The first new electric double-deck bus destined for The 36 was unveiled at a VIP launch in June 2024.
The double deck buses have been joined by 20 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric single deckers to create a complete new zero emission electric bus fleet based at Transdev’s depot in the town.
Parent firm Transdev’s Managing Director Henri Rohard said:
“We are delighted to receive this prestigious national award for our innovative zero emission buses, which are proving reliable and popular with customers on our premium route, The 36.
“This new generation of buses was three years in the making, with a successful application for £7.8 million through ZEBRA, the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas fund, by our exceptional partner North Yorkshire Council, supporting our own investment to make this exciting project a reality."
He added:
“We needed a bus that is going to be robust to deliver high performance in a busy urban environment, such as in Leeds and Harrogate, and also in the more rural sections of the route.
"Most of our zero emission buses on The 36 cover over 100,000 kilometres, or 62,100 miles, a year, with over two million customer journeys per annum, and they are performing well in service.
“Our new electric buses for The 36 and our other routes in and around Harrogate are custom engineered to deliver a positive step change in performance, and just as important, are proving popular with our customers.”
Externally, the bus firm’s Enviro 400EV electric buses are packed with safety features, including digital electronic rear view cameras in place of the traditional mirrors, giving drivers a clearer view of potential hazards.
On the inside, a glazed staircase leads to the upper deck featuring a two-plus-one seating layout, glazed roof panels to let in natural light and wireless mobile device charging.
The Harrogate Bus Company received the Best Bus Innovation trophy at the e-Mobility Awards presentation, held at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire.
Full details of all the bus operator’s routes and fare deals are available online at transdevbus.co.uk/harrogate, on its free to download ‘Transdev Go’ mobile app, or from the travel information kiosk at Harrogate Bus Station.
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