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£3.9m hybrid bus fleet launched for Dudley & Wolverhampton

Posted: 13 March 2013 | Centro | No comments yet

A £3.9 million fleet of greener, more comfortable and distinctive buses has been launched for Dudley and Wolverhampton…

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A £3.9 million fleet of greener, more comfortable and distinctive buses has been launched for Dudley and Wolverhampton.

Local MPs Ian Austin and Pat McFadden teamed up with Peter Coates, managing director of National Express West Midlands and John McNicholas, chair of Centro to launch the buses at the Beacon Centre for the Blind in Sedgley.

The environmentally friendly hybrid buses will not just save carbon emissions but make transport more accessible to customers with sight and hearing loss.

The vehicles operate on an electric diesel hybrid engine which makes them greener. They will also have next stop announcement technology, making transport easier for customers with hearing and sight conditions.

The new buses, which will operate on the number 1 service between Wolverhampton and Dudley, will also be distinctive in appearance.

They will have a bright green front and have falling leaves down their side to celebrate the environmental benefits they will have for the area.

Peter Coates said: “These new vehicles will make a big difference to Dudley and Wolverhampton.

“They will make transport easier for customers with sight and hearing loss as well as reducing the amount of carbon emitted by an impressive 440 tonnes a year.

“We are really proud of these state of the art vehicles and we hope that the people of Dudley and Wolverhampton will be too.”

Cllr McNicholas said: “I am delighted that these new, environmentally friendly vehicles are now on the road and serving the bus passengers of the West Midlands.

“Not only will they encourage new bus technology and stimulate the market for low carbon vehicles but they will demonstrate to people that electric hybrid vehicles of this size are viable and further proof that public transport is a serious and ready alternative to the car.”

Ian Austin MP for Dudley North said: “This investment by National Express West Midlands and Centro is great news for Dudley. These new state of the art vehicles will make our air cleaner, roads quieter and bus travel more accessible to people with sight and hearing problems.”

Pat McFadden MP for Wolverhampton South East said: “I’m delighted these new greener buses are coming into service locally.

“They are a step up in comfort, in passenger information and in environmental standards. At a time when petrol prices seem to be getting ever higher it is really important that we make travelling on the bus as convenient and reliable as possible.”

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