£8.1m investment in buses to create cleaner air
First West Yorkshire has unveiled new buses in a multi-million pound investment to help slash emissions and create cleaner air in Bradford.
The ultra-low emission buses, known as the StreetDeck and StreetLite, are manufactured by Wrightbus.
They feature Euro VI diesel engine technology which achieves significant reductions in the most harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide, making the buses 95% cleaner than some they are replacing.
Carbon reduction is also achieved by the engine technology and lightweight build compared to older generation vehicles.
The vehicles, branded City of Bradford, are part of a total fleet of 28 double-deckers to be introduced in the coming weeks on the X6 and 72 services between Bradford and Leeds.
A further 11 single-decker buses will be added in the summer to operate on routes within the city.
First West Yorkshire has invested £8.1m in the 39 buses, with additional funding support from Bradford City Council.
Three of the double-deckers were put on show at Bradford’s City Park in a ceremony attended by senior directors of First West Yorkshire and Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford City Council and portfolio lead on transport for West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Paul Matthews, managing director at First West Yorkshire, said: “This is a significant day in our long-term vision to upgrade the fleet to give customers a better travel experience and play our part in achieving major improvements to air quality in the Bradford city region.
“Our new buses are fitted with the latest on-board features to provide connectivity on the move, better journey information while travelling and greater comfort.
“Buses are key to tackling congestion and reducing emissions. A fully-loaded double-decker bus can take 75 cars off the road.”
The operator has also completed a retrofit of 99 buses with replacement exhaust systems to meet the highest diesel standards, with only a few remaining to be converted.
Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “It is great to see the investment that First West Yorkshire have made to ensure their fleet will contribute to reducing pollution and improving air quality in the district.
“We are proud to be working with all Bradford bus companies and providing grants for new buses and retrofits to meet clean air zone standards.
“Bradford Council has worked with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to facilitate the upgrade over 300 buses to meet Clean Air Zone standards and is also supporting current Zero Emission Bus Fund applications by Transdev and Arriva which will hopefully see 40 electric buses coming into service in the district next year.”
