Stagecoach SW invests £2.5m in 14 new high-spec vehicles

Stagecoach South West has invested £2.5m in a fleet of 14 new, state-of-the-art, British built, single decker buses in Exeter – just in time for Christmas.

All of the vehicles boast luxurious high-backed, e-leather seats and multiple USB charging points.

As with the rest of the fleet, the new buses are fitted with technology that will allow customers to use the Stagecoach mobile app to track their bus live.

The buses took to the road at the beginning of this month.

Fitted with environmentally-friendly, Euro 6 engines and start/stop technology, these buses meet the latest Low Carbon Emission Bus standards and will operate in crucial Air Quality Management Areas around the city, including, Holloway Street and Topsham Road, Blackboy Road and Pinhoe Road.

These are locations where air quality needs to be improved to protect resident’s health, and the environment.

The new engines comply with the highest possible European standards. In fact they produce less pollution than the average family car.

This makes the Stagecoach South West fleet amongst the cleanest in the country in terms of exhaust emissions with one third of all Stagecoach buses in Exeter now meeting the highest possible emissions standards.

The buses will serve the popular I and J routes which were enhanced in September to provide two, linked orbital routes, offering passengers greater connectivity and more options when travelling into Exeter city centre.

The routes serve the city centre up to every 20 minutes in each direction Monday to Saturdays and hourly on Sundays, providing links with Ikea, Tesco and Digby Retail Park.

Bob Dennison, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said: “The introduction of the new high-spec buses demonstrates our commitment to providing the best possible experience to current, and future, customers.

“Fresh off the back of launching contactless payment on board all of our services, this is a great way to end the year.”

Councillor Rachel Sutton, Exeter City Council's Lead Councillor with responsibility for low carbon emissions, said: "I am delighted that Stagecoach are investing in more environmentally-friendly vehicles and working hard to decrease the amount of emissions on the road."

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for transport, said: "We welcome this investment from Stagecoach on these popular routes. It's an early Christmas present for passengers and I'm sure everyone will enjoy travelling on these new buses."

For further information and to plan your journey visit: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/plan-a-journey or download the Stagecoach app.