10 of the Enviro400 double-deckers have upgraded the flagship Bluestar 1 route between Winchester and Southampton. The new buses will help to generate further passenger growth, alongside higher bus frequencies and night buses delivered in partnership with Hampshire County Council using Bus Service Improvement Plan funding from the UK Government.
Four further Enviro400, also built to a length of 10.9m metres and seating up to 65 passengers, will run along various services alongside a fifth one operated by Salisbury Reds in and around the cathedral city, while the remaining three double-deckers have boosted the Morebus fleet in Bournemouth and Poole.
Eight Enviro200 are 11.8m long single deckers with 41 seats that have been deployed on the Bluestar 9 route along the western shore of the Southampton Water estuary as well as other routes, while the remaining pair are 8.9m midibuses for Swindon’s Bus Company, offering up to 29 seats.
All new buses are fitted with Alexander Dennis SmartPack efficiency technology. This combines engine stop/start, e-cooling and auxiliary load management to deliver well-to-wheel greenhouse gas savings of up to 24% compared with Euro V diesel equivalents in testing over the UK Bus Cycle, allowing them to be certified as low-emission buses by the Zemo Partnership.
Andrew Wickham, managing director Go South Coast, said: “We’re delighted to have added these Alexander Dennis buses to our fleet. They offer additional comfort for every passenger travelling on them – and the fact that they also carry the latest low-emission engines makes them kinder to the environment than previous diesel vehicles.
“These impressive buses also include on-board technology, like USB charging points and contactless, tap on tap off payment facilities.
“We’re very proud to be driving them across our south coast network, and we hope those who travel with us will agree that they offer a superior travelling experience.
“The aim is to make sustainable transport a more attractive proposition, in order to entice people out of their cars. One full double decker bus can take up to 75 cars off the road – and this investment is a huge step in that direction.”
Mark Ballam, national account manager for Alexander Dennis, said: “It is heartening to see the Go-Ahead Group’s continued investment into upgraded journeys for its customers on the South Coast. These buses further reduce the environmental impact of bus travel with emission-reducing Alexander Dennis SmartPack technology.
“This year’s 28 new buses take the total of new Alexander Dennis low-emission buses that Go South Coast has placed into service over the last three years to over 100, providing a highly appreciated boost for British bus manufacturing.”
