Following the successful launch of Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT) first electric buses in the Old Market Square last year, NCT is delighted to announce the introduction of its latest electric buses to the Green Line routes 5, 7, 8, and 9.
Known for offering an unbeatable and frequent 5-minute Monday to Saturday daytime service between the City Centre, Nottingham Station, Trent Bridge, and Central Avenue, these routes form the backbone of West Bridgford’s public transport, connecting key destinations. They also form part of the City Loop—a vital service that links passengers to locations across Nottingham City Centre, including Broad Marsh, the Railway Station, and the new Central Library.
To celebrate the next batch of electric buses, NCT held a launch event on Saturday, 8th February, in Central Avenue, West Bridgford, where one of the brand-new electric buses was on display for the public to explore. Attendees were invited to step on board and get a first-hand look at the upgraded features these buses bring to local public transport.
The new electric buses bring greener, quieter, and cleaner journeys to customers travelling on NCT’s Green Line routes. This marks the first phase of the next batch of 24 electric single-deck buses, which will be introduced in the next few months, with a further 14 due towards the end of the year.
These buses feature several enhancements designed to improve the passenger experience, including:
- Air conditioning for year-round comfort
- Spacious interiors, with extra legroom and a larger buggy bay
- Accessible design, including a wheelchair bay with no tip-up seats, to reduce conflict over the use of the space
- Bright and clear destination displays, making it easier to read routes in all conditions
- A hearing loop system
- USB-C charging points
As well as Bridgford Bus routes getting an upgrade, electric buses will soon be introduced to the following routes:
- Navy 3 to Wilford Lane, Ruddington, and Clifton
- Navy 48 to Meadows, Queens Drive, and Clifton
- Sky Blue 61 to Mapperley, Woodborough, Lambley, and Calverton
- Yellow 70, 71 to Sherwood Rise, Basford, and Bulwell
These buses will join the 2024 fleet, which is already in service on Green 11, Pink 30, Blue 39, 40/X, 41, 42, and Red 50.
David Astill, NCT Managing Director, said:
“It was great to welcome so many residents on board their new Bridgford Bus at our launch event in the heart of West Bridgford on Saturday. With an unbeatable daytime frequency of up to every 5 minutes through Central Avenue, this upgrade to our Bridgford Bus services shows our commitment to providing a high-quality alternative to the car.”
The introduction of these further electric buses follows Nottingham City Transport’s ongoing efforts to play its part as Nottingham aspires to be carbon-neutral by 2028, while also improving air quality and reducing the city’s carbon footprint. The buses are part of NCT’s partnership with Nottingham City Council and the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) fund.
Supplied by Yutong Bus & Coach and finished to NCT’s high specifications by Pelican Engineering, the buses are 100% electric and zero-emission when in service. They offer passengers a smoother, quieter ride and will contribute to NCT’s goal of reducing emissions across its fleet.
