Green buses are go in Coventry

THE first green buses of their kind have been launched in Coventry by operator Travel de Courcey as part of a £1m innovation.

The trio of single-deckers are the UK’s first large fast-charging electric buses and are being operated on the park & ride shuttle service based at the city’s War Memorial Park.

The fleet was officially launched by transport minister Norman Baker.

He said: “The West Midlands is in the vanguard of a green transport revolution which will mean better journeys for passengers, less noise and air pollution and lower carbon emissions.”

The zero-emission vehicles are each powered by more than 200 hi-tech batteries which can be fully charged in 40 minutes to transport up to 40 passengers at a time into the centre of the city.

Electric charging points at the War Memorial Park enable all three buses to run at peak times, with batteries being re-charged overnight at Travel de Courcey’s main depot in Rowley Drive, Coventry.

The launch is a partnership between Travel de Courcey, Coventry City Council, which owns the park & ride scheme and installed the infrastructure, and Centro, which is responsible for bus transport in the West Midlands.

The £1m project was part-funded by the government’s Green Bus Fund, CENEX, Centro and Coventry City Council and involved two years of research and development with Leeds-based bus and coach manufacturer Optare.

Mike de Courcey, managing director of Travel de Courcey, said: “Coventry is the birthplace of the British car and cycle industry and we are delighted to be creating another transport first for the city as part of our desire to be at the forefront of our industry. 

“The launch of the electric buses marks one of the most significant developments in the 40-year history of Travel de Courcey and highlights our commitment to pioneer innovative and green technology for the benefit of our passengers and the environment.”