Yorkshire bus operator Transdev has rolled out the first of its new £3.5 million fleet of 15 new Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid buses onto its Flyer-branded network that links Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Otley with Leeds Bradford Airport’s expanded terminal building.
The first of the new buses entered service at the start of this month on the three dedicated Flyer routes as part of Transdev’s plan to deliver more capacity, better accessibility and lower emissions. Journeys on the routes run up to every 30 minutes with departures from early morning until late at night.
The new Citaros have 39 seats with room for up to 31 standing to give a combined capacity of up to 70 while the hybrid powertrain is expected to yield an 8.5% reduction in fuel consumption.
Transdev Managing Director Henri Rohard said: “We are delighted to introduce our new hybrid buses to our Flyer-branded bus network, at a significant time for travel to the airport with the new terminal building extension now open to customers.
“Our investment in the most up-to-date hybrid technology is providing a full aviation-designed and dedicated fleet to Leeds Bradford Airport, giving airline customers, our customers in general and our colleagues a much more comfortable, accessible and environmentally friendly journey than ever before.
“On board each new bus is a full package of customer comfort features, including next stop information displays including a screen facing the dedicated wheelchair space, and a hearing loop system to make communication easier for customers with a hearing disability. There’s also fast and free on-board WiFi and USB charging, plus the latest pedestrian and cyclist detection systems to make the roads safer for everyone.”
CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) Vincent Hodder added: “These bespoke hybrid vehicles will not only provide our customers with a more comfortable journey to the airport, but they also use less fuel than their traditional counterparts.”
The buses are equipped with a 14kW electric motor, used for generating energy when coasting and braking, which is then used to assist the engine when pulling away. They are fitted with blind spot detection, traffic sign monitoring and electronic tyre pressure reporting devices.
