All aboard electric bus at COP26 – next stop Telford and Wrekin

The buses used to transport world leaders during the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow (COP26) is heading to Telford.

Passengers will be welcomed on board the electric vehicle on Wednesday, November 24 and Thursday 25 as it replaces the buses used on three routes covering most of Telford’s main stops.

The eCitaro is not a prototype but an all-electric bus developed by Mercedes-Benz that runs entirely emission-free and is virtually noiseless.

The visit has been organised to demonstrate what future bus transport could look like if the government approve and provide funding for the council’s ambitious £40m improvement plan.

The plan calls for almost a third of the 63-strong fleet to be replaced with electric vehicles (EV). Depending on the final allocation, the plan also calls for cheaper fares, improved facilities and more frequent services, connecting residential with key employment areas and improving rural routes.

Councillor David Wright, cabinet member for economy, housing, transport and infrastructure said: “I’d encourage people to come and see this bus. It really is an exciting milestone and showcases what bus travel could be like in the future. We have some incredibly ambitious plans with government right now to transform services, from better buses and routes to cheaper fares and clearer timetables.

“Even if you don’t want to take a journey, check the timetable and come and see history being made.”

The first chance to hop on board will be on Wednesday when the electric bus will replace the service that runs along routes 1 and 2 between Telford and Sutton Hill while the service on Thursday will replace the bus on route number 4 between Madeley and Leegomery.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, cabinet member for climate change, green spaces, natural and historic environment, said: “From a sustainability perspective, this project will really help to support our commitment to make Telford & Wrekin Council’s operations carbon neutral by 2030.

"The progress we’ve already made on this agenda means we’re on track to achieve this target and I’m delighted that we are now looking at new ways to embed sustainability across our services, with transport being a key area.

“Not only would these changes reduce the bus service’s carbon footprint. We hope they would also make bus travel more appealing, helping to reduce the number of cars on our roads and further reducing emissions in the borough.”

Journeys on the electric bus will be charged at the usual rate and capacity is limited to 39 seats with space for 27 standing.

For full details of bus timetables are available at www.arrivabus.co.uk/midlands/bus-travel-in-telford.