Public transport boost with £2m investment in new buses
Members of Hull & Humber’s Chamber of Commerce’s Shipping & Transport Committee enjoyed an exclusive preview of a bus which is one of 11 double-deckers being introduced, representing a £2m investment.
The new fleet, with on-board wifi, and USB outlets built into every seat, is part of Hull-based bus company East Yorkshire. Founder of the business Peter Shipp, was a former Chamber President.
Now part of the Go-Ahead Group, the company has ordered its new fleet from a Scarborough manufacturer which employs 1,200 people at its factory.
The buses, which cost £250,000 each, are designed to be more accessible, with a larger dedicated space for wheelchairs and buggies to use.
As “talking buses”, they have audio-visual announcements which letting passengers know which stop is coming up next, making travel easier for people who are visually impaired.
And the vehicles conform to the latest Euro VI environmental rating, meaning they produce lower exhaust emissions than many cars.
They will be running mostly on circular Services 104/154, which operate from Hull City Centre via The Avenues, University and Cottingham to Castle Hill Hospital, and then back via Willerby and Anlaby Road via Hull Royal Infirmary to Hull.
Chair of the Shipping & Transport Committee, Albert Weatherill, said: “The new buses look very smart inside, and all the new features will be welcomed by passengers travelling around Hull and East Yorkshire. It’s great to see a company that is well known to the Chamber investing in local people and infrastructure.”
East Yorkshire’s area director, Ben Gilligan, said the buses are sure to be a big hit with passengers in the area.
“We’re really excited to be putting these fantastic new buses into Hull,” he said. “Everyone who’s seen them so far has said how comfortable they are, and we know passengers are going to love the new features such as USB chargers.
“The congested roads in Hull mean buses are a great way to travel as they can zip past the queues in the bus lanes.”
