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First Electric Buses Unveiled in Cambridge

source: https://www.itv.com/

  • Video report by ITV News Anglia’s Stuart Leithes

The government has announced a £5 billion funding boost for environmentally friendly public transport.

The money will be spent improving bus and cycling routes in every area of the UK, including the Anglia region, and an extra 4000 zero emission buses will be rolled out across England and Wales.

According to the latest figures from the Department for Transport, there are currently 12,000 buses and coaches operating in the East of England, with 22 of those low emission.

We are going to invest in every region outside of London.

It will mean more buses, high frequency buses, simpler and more affordable fares, less congestion for those buses with dedicated lanes.

When it comes to cycling we want to make that more easier and safer.

– SAJID JAVID MP, CHANCELLOR

The first electric buses to run in Greater Cambridge have been introduced t
The first electric buses to run in Greater Cambridge have been introduced t Credit: ITV Anglia

Today, the first electric buses to run in Greater Cambridge were introduced by the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Stagecoach East

Cllr Aidan Van de Weyer, chair of the GCP, said: “The Greater Cambridge Partnership is aiming to really transform transport in the Cambridge area, make a difference to congestion that is holding us back in so many ways and also improve air quality and reduce our carbon emissions.

“To do that we will be using alternative means of power like these electric buses.”

The new vehicles can travel 160 miles on a single charge and will operate on the number 6 route serving the city centre, Girton and Oaktington.

The GCP has provided around £400,000 to help introduce the vehicles into service.

22
The number of low emission buses based in the East of England

Stagecoach's zero-emission buses will be operating in Cambridgeshire
Stagecoach’s zero-emission buses will be operating in Cambridgeshire Credit: ITV Anglia