Alexander Dennis has handed over the first five of 100 electric double-deck buses to Transport for Greater Manchester ahead of the launch of the region’s new Bee Network.
The first 50 of the BYD–Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV zero emission buses will enter service in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury in September as part of plans to put buses under local authority control.
A further 50 vehicles will be delivered in March 2024, when bus franchising will be extended to Bury, Rochdale and Oldham, parts of Manchester, Salford and Tameside, before services across the rest of Greater Manchester follow in January 2025.
The double deckers are 10.8m long and seat 62 passengers, with two wheelchair bays, hearing induction loops, audio and visual announcement systems and anti-slip flooring.
The buses will be funded by government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
Martin West, Alexander Dennis Group Commercial Director, said: “We are proud to be manufacturing the brand-new buses that will upgrade bus services in Greater Manchester as part of the Bee Network. These proven and reliable electric buses will deliver smooth journeys for passengers while cutting out tailpipe emissions wherever they go.
“The assembly of these buses in the UK supports the jobs and apprenticeships of over 2,000 team members in our company, who are proud to be leading the transition to zero-emission mobility.
“Through our domestic supply chain, this Bee Network investment benefits communities in the North of England and right across the country.”
