Zero bus emissions for city’s park and ride fleet

A YORKSHIRE city received a boost to its green travel credentials yesterday as it became home to what is thought to be the country’s largest zero emission park and ride fleet.

First Bus York said that an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide would be saved each year once the 21-bus Metrodecker fleet becomes fully operational. The move comes after the city became the first in the UK to voluntarily establish a Clear Air Zone back in February.

Ahead of its introduction, York Council had pledged £1.64m to help bus companies make their vehicles more environmentallyfriendly as the zone now requires them to meet minimum emission standards.

The partnership between First York and the local authority saw the first of 21 new all-electric double-deckers enter service on the York Park & Ride network yesterday, starting with the route serving the Askham Bar corridor to the south west of the city.

Marc Bichtemann, managing director of the bus operator, said: “This is an important stage in our shared ambition to expand sustainable transport in the city.

“We are determined to attract more customers to using buses and realising the real impact this has in reducing congestion, creating cleaner air and supporting the local economy, not least as York continues its revival from the pandemic.”

The full order of Metrodecker EVs, manufactured by Optare in Yorkshire, will be brought into operation this summer, replacing existing diesel vehicles in an investment totalling £9.3m and expanding the fully electric fleet on York Park & Ride to 33 buses.

They are the first new vehicles to be introduced by First Bus anywhere in the country since the company announced on July 8 its commitment to achieve a zero carbon fleet by 2035.