Public transport in Gloucestershire is set to get a lot greener — as well as quieter — with the introduction of new electric buses to service key routes across the county.
From late 2025, 58 zero emission buses are set to be introduced in the county, which will make up more than 20 per cent of Gloucestershire's total bus fleet.
Popular routes such as the Cheltenham to Gloucester 94 service, as well as the T service linking Bishop's Cleeve and Tewkesbury, will be among the first to be served by the new buses.
Urban centres aren't the only places set to benefit, with the 777 service — which links rural communities to Lydney and Coleford — also set to be electrified, along with the 801 service which links Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh with Cheltenham.
It is estimated the new buses will stop over 59,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere over their lifetime through the replacement of their diesel counterparts.
Stagecoach, Pulhams and Lydney Dial a Ride are set to operate the electric bus routes.
The councillor with responsibility for buses at Gloucestershire County Council, Phillip Robinson, said: 'It’s exciting news that we will be introducing these buses to the network.
'It will encourage more people to use buses in a sustainable way that will help us meet our carbon emission targets.'
The Department for Transport has provided a total of £43 million to councils in the south west to fund bus electrification, which has been made possible through the reallocation of HS2 funding.
