Oxford fleet of electric buses praised by industry leaders

A consortium made up of Oxford Bus Company, Oxfordshire County Council and Stagecoach secured an £82.5m deal in January 2023.

This was a key part of the wider Oxfordshire Enhanced Bus Partnership to deliver the electric vehicles, along with the necessary charging equipment to support them.

The council was awarded £32.8m from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, with a further £43.7m coming from the bus companies and £6m from the council itself.

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The scheme has now been named the winner of the Best Public Transport Decarbonisation Award at the inaugural Decarbonising Transport Awards.

Representatives from Oxford Bus Company, Oxfordshire County Council and Stagecoach travelled to London to receive the award during a ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel near Hyde Park.

An electric bus (Image: Fortitude Communications)

The Decarbonising Transport Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts from across the transport and environment sectors, and the move towards electric buses was described by organisers as “an excellent example of building on government funding to deliver a wide range of benefits”.

Last month, provisional data suggested that roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations across Oxford reduced by an average of 10 per cent from 2023 to 2024.

That figure was as high as 24 per cent in areas of high bus traffic such as High Street and St Aldates. Each electric bus delivers significant environmental benefits, including zero tailpipe emissions.

The analysis by the Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams, in partnership with Oxford University, investigated air and noise pollution changes before, during and after the introduction of battery electric buses in Oxford.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company (Image: Fortitude Communications)

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “This partnership is delivering exactly what it set out to do, so it’s therefore pleasing to see it get the recognition it deserves.

“Electric buses are making a significant difference when it comes to reducing emissions and improving air quality in Oxford.

“The community continues to benefit from this progressive initiative, demonstrating what is possible when key stakeholders are aligned and have a shared vision.”

Dave Harrison, the county council’s public transport team leader, said: “The introduction of 159 electric buses in Oxford has saved 7,233 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and has also resulted in a 24 per cent reduction in roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations, reduction in city noise, and measurable health and economic benefits for residents.

“We’re thrilled that all the parties involved have been recognised with this award, and even more pleased with how popular the vehicles are with passengers – and the fact that there are now even more on the road thanks to our partnership with the bus operators.”

Oxford Bus Company ordered 104 Wrightbus Electroliner vehicles, consisting of 91 double-decker, five single-decker and eight open-top vehicles, as part of the initial investment, while 104 charging points were installed at the Cowley House depot.

Stagecoach secured 55 vehicles from manufacturer Alexander Dennis, with the same number of chargers installed at their Network Oxford site.

Chris Hanson, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of what can be achieved when operators and local authorities work together with a clear, shared ambition.

“The results we’re now seeing are incredibly encouraging, and this milestone is just the beginning.”

Oxford Bus Company recently announced that an additional 13 new electric buses are taking to Oxfordshire’s roads following an investment of more than £5.1m.

The Go-Ahead Group, the parent business of the Oxford Bus Company, spent £3.9m, with an additional £1.2m investment from the county council via its Vehicle Improvement Fund grant scheme.

The buses, produced by Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis, will be serving the 35 route to Abingdon, 46 to Great Milton, ST2 to Wytham, and the 21 service between Bicester and Chesterton.