READING Buses has unveiled a new fleet of of all-electric vehicles.
Last weekend, the public transport operator celebrated bringing 24 new zero-emissions buses into service as part of its ZEBRA program– Zero Emission Buses for the Reading Area.
The new vehicles were unveiled alongside a new mascot for the fleet, Zippy the Zebra, at an event at its Great Knollys Street on Friday, February 5.
The 24 new buses will be used on two routes: the flagship Purple 17, between Tilehurst, Central Reading, and Wokingham Road; and Claret 21, between Central Reading, the University of Reading, and Lower Earley.
Both routes run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
While some of the vehicles bear the branding of their intended route, others have been given less specific livery so they can be used where needed on any route.
This includes one which has been given zebra-themed branding to celebrate the program, with black and white striped livery, as well as one painted with Professor Ed Hawkins’ Climate Stripes, and a gold one to celebrate Reading Buses 125th anniversary this year.
Each of the buses includes heat-pump-powered automatic air conditioning and heating, audio-visual stop-by-stop information, USB-A and USB-C charging points at each seat, seat-back phone holder with wireless charging, and LED mood lighting.
They also feature free wifi, like much of the current fleet, alongside tables in both upper and lower decks, sunroofs and tinted glazing.
The investment in electric vehicles has been made possible following a successful bid by Reading Borough Council to the Department for Transport ZEBRA fund (Zero Emission Buses for Regional Areas).
It means the government agreed to cover 75% the additional costs of buying electric vehicles and the associated depot infrastructure.
Reading Buses have invested the equivalent cost of 24 diesel vehicles, and expect the remaining 25% cost to be covered by reduced running costs over the lifetime of the vehicles.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer, said; “I am beyond excited to be launching our first ever battery electric buses at Reading Buses.
“In addition to being zero emission, they bring a significant improvement in journey quality for our customers onboard.
“Alongside our 75 low-emission biomethane-powered buses, over 60% of our fleet will be low or zero emission – and the remaining diesel buses are all still extremely clean Euro-VI engined.”
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “I am really looking forward to seeing these 24 brand new electric buses carrying passengers around Reading, and I cannot wait to travel on them myself.
“Not only will they provide passengers with a smooth, comfortable journey, they will be carrying thousands of people around the borough every day without emitting any harmful, polluting fumes.
“The council has invested heavily in a host of initiatives to make public transport even more convenient, reliable and easier to use, and bringing this magnificent fleet of electric double deckers to Reading, with Reading Buses, will make taking the bus an even more attractive proposition.”
