York sightseeing bus becomes world first
ONE of York’s renowned City Sight Seeing buses has become the first double-decker bus in the world to get an electric makeover.
The bus, operated by Transdev, has been converted from diesel to pure electric with lithium ion batteries, similar to those used by mobile phones.
The retro-fit conversion was carried out by Sheffield-based Magtec – which designs and manufactures drive systems for vehicles.
Managing director of Magtec, Marcus Jenkins, said: “We are delighted to work with City of York Council and Transdev to get the world’s first retrofit electric double decker sightseeing bus into service.
“Magtec’s ability to retrofit this type of bus with our electric drive train systems, opens up a world of opportunity for similar local authorities and operators to upgrade their existing vehicle fleets.
“This is the first retrofit system for buses that provide the benefits of zero emission in operation, that also makes commercial sense for the vehicle operator.”
Coun David Levene, cabinet member of transport at City of York Council, said: “York is again leading the way in improving air quality and bus travel. We’re the first city in the world to launch the new electric double decker City Sightseeing bus as a result of being the first city in the UK to adopt a Low Emission Strategy.”
Richard Jackson at Transdev, added: “Thousands of tourists and residents travel on our popular City Sightseeing buses every year so it’s fantastic news that we’ll be able to offer an even better travelling experience, whilst at the same time helping to improve air quality in York by converting to an electric bus.
“We’re also delighted that we’ll be the first operator in the UK to benefit from this opportunity and have the world’s very first double decker bus electric makeover.”
The transformed sightseeing bus, will join fifteen new electric buses – all fitted with Magtec electric drive trains – which will provide passenger journeys on the streets of York, following a successfully bid to the DfT for £1.4m in 2013, made available through the Green Bus Fund from DfT.
