City Sightseeing Oxford invests £4m in all-electric bus fleet
City Sightseeing Oxford has launched a new all-electric fleet of open-top buses as Oxford Bus Company looks to deliver a decarbonised public transport system.
The eight new vehicles, complete with glazed staircases and roof lights to improve views of the city, represent a £4 million investment and join the brand’s existing three retrofitted electric buses.
The City Sightseeing Oxford team celebrated the launch recently alongside Stuart Crook, chair of Experience Oxfordshire; Hayley Beer-Gamage, CEO of Experience Oxfordshire; Enrique Ybarra, CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide; and Lady Victoria Borwick, chair of the VisitEngland advisory board.
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Luke Marion, MD of Oxford Bus Company, said: “This is a landmark moment in our journey towards transforming our fleet of vehicles to zero-emission in Oxford.
“The new City Sightseeing Oxford vehicles are powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, and will help improve air quality and make Oxford an even more attractive place to visit.
“This represents a significant investment in Oxford’s visitor economy and environment, and we’re proud to play such an important role in the city’s tourism sector.”
The move comes following the announcement earlier this year that Oxford Bus Company is preparing to launch one of the UK’s biggest fleets of electric buses outside London via its city services.
A collaboration between Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford Bus Company (owned by The Go-Ahead Group and Stagecoach), the £82.5 million project is set to deliver 159 new battery buses onto the streets of Oxford.
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