Hull’s newest electric bus fleet is making services ‘more reliable’, according to a local bus driver.
Diesel prices hit an all-time high this year, exceeding £2 per litre – making electric cars up to nine times cheaper to run than diesel cars.
Stagecoach East Midlands’ electric fleet was launched in August and serves routes 3, 5 and 12/12A.
James Bolton, who has been a bus driver for nearly three years, said the fleet is ensuring that public transport is ‘better for everyone’:
“Nobody wants their bus cancelled – and having a newer, more reliable fleet ensures consistency and reliability.
“It ends up better for everyone involved because we have a more reliable bus service on the back of the new electric buses.”
The electric buses require less servicing than diesel buses, which James said will lead to less disruption to passengers:
“They have fewer moving parts, including a motor instead of an engine, which can ensure more consistent services.”
James said passengers and drivers alike were benefiting from the smoother experience of the electric buses:
“They’re much smoother, so the driving experience is nicer – braking, acceleration and handling seem better than older buses.
“Passengers seem quite hyped about them – I’ve had a few people wanting to have a chat about them, saying it was a nicer ride.
“Most of the time we hear it’s been a smoother ride – on balance, they’re a lot more comfortable.”
For electric buses and electric vehicles (EVs), active cooling is essential to keep their batteries cool, which can be a bonus for passengers during hot weather:
“All of Stagecoach’s EVs have air conditioning – with the summer we’ve had, driving around in what is essentially a greenhouse can be unpleasant for the driver and passengers.
“Having air conditioning could be the difference between somebody deciding to drive or take the bus, because they know the air con is nicer here.
“It’s great – a lot nicer for the drivers too.”
EVs are known to make very little noise, and the electric buses can be as quiet as 50 decibels – the same noise level as the hum of a refrigerator.
“Diesel bus fans make a lot of noise while EVs sit there silently – which is a lot nicer for walkers and horse-riders.
“They are a lot quieter – the normal ‘bus noises’ just aren’t there.
“On rural roads while driving near a horse-rider, particularly when you need to overtake, making less noise makes it safer for everybody.”
Elsewhere in the country, Stagecoach’s electric fleet in Chesterfield is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 102,000 tonnes per year.
“There’s something nice about knowing what you’re driving isn’t kicking out a bunch of pollution at drivers and pedestrians,” said James.
“We’ve all been there when something’s kicking out tonnes of stuff, and it’s not nice for anyone, and going in the direction of reducing that is definitely a positive.”
He said having electric buses in Hull was adding to the list of perks of the city:
“Public transport in Hull has always been really important – and we do have a really good bus network.
“Having the EVs on the road, you’ve got nicer vehicles for everyone, and it’s the next step in improving the process.
“It adds to what’s already in Hull in a positive way.”