Bakers Coaches goes green for 75th anniversary 08 November 2011

Stoke-based bus and coach operator Bakers Coaches has launched its first hybrid bus service, ahead of its 75th anniversary this month (November 2011).

The three hybrid buses, all based on Volvo B5 RLH chassis with Wrightbus Gemini bodywork, operate under the Bakerbus brand and were bought primarily to carry students on a dedicated contract with Staffordshire University and London Midland Trains.

Phil Baker, managing director of Bakers Coaches, believes that these low-floor, diesel-electric buses – the first double-decker buses operated by Bakerbus – are the greenest, cleanest buses in the county.

Part of that, he says, is down to the fitment of Michelin's X InCity XZU3 tyres, which use a special rubber compound claimed to increase mileage by up to 15%. In addition, the tyres offer up to 18% more traction in urban driving conditions.

"Michelin tyres offer the best cost-per-mile solution for our fleet and it was the obvious choice for these new eco-friendly buses," comments Baker. "We have been on a formal tyre contract with Michelin for the last 15 years, and it is their reliability and versatility that has kept us coming back."

And he adds: "With our 75th anniversary coming up, it seems fitting that we continue our tradition of bringing cleaner and greener transport to Staffordshire. We already have a record of embarking on eco-friendly initiatives and we're excited to see exactly how well these buses perform."

Prior to taking delivery, Bakerbus operated a demonstrator hybrid bus from Volvo, which Baker confirms delivered a 20% fuel saving. As this was a pre-production model, he believes it is likely that his three new buses will perform even better.

Author
Brian Tinham

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