Two electric buses deployed by First Glasgow

First Glasgow is to roll out two all-electric buses, following funding from electricity distributor SP Energy Networks.
 
The new vehicles will be going on the M3 route, which connects communities in Milton and Springburn with Stobhill Hospital and the city centre.
 
The electric buses are being fully funded as part of SP Energy Networks’ £20million Green Economy Fund, which supports Glasgow’s mission to become the UK’s first net zero emissions city by 2030. It also contributes to the Scottish Government’s ambitious plans to meet climate change targets, boost local economic growth, improve air quality across the country and deliver a better future, quicker for our communities.

 
The new single decker buses were revealed this morning on Glasgow’s George Square before going on a tour of the city. 14 lucky pupils from St Joseph’s Primary School were among the first to hop on board when it stopped at the school gates and they were welcomed on board by Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction at Glasgow City Council, who has led the charge for country’s first Low Emission Zone in Glasgow.
 
One of the buses will now go on display at the Riverside Museum until close of play on Sunday the 12th of January, so people across Glasgow can get a first look for themselves, before going into service on the M3 route from Monday, 13th of January.
 
The new M3 electric buses, built by Alexander Dennis at their Falkirk factory, have the latest mirrorless smartvision technology, which removes the need for wing mirrors, helps reduce blind spots for drivers and even helps to reduce the effects of bad weather on their vision via the state-of-the-art CCTV system. The new vehicles will also have USB charging points, on-board audio-visual next stop announcements and free Wi-Fi to provide a better customer experience.
 
As part of the SP Energy Networks funding deal, First Glasgow will also introduce 22 electric vehicle charging points in its Glasgow Caledonia Depot, which will ultimately allow more electric buses to be introduced by First Glasgow into Glasgow’s transport network in the future.
 
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, attended First Glasgow’s Caledonia Depot to plug the new electric buses in for their first charge and is delighted with the new addition to the city’s bus fleet.
 
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, said: “It is a real pleasure to see First launch their fully electric buses in Glasgow, following funding from SP Energy Networks. Scotland was one of the first countries to acknowledge that we are facing a global climate emergency and we have legislated for the most ambitious carbon reduction target of any country in the world.
 
“A key part of our plans is encouraging greater use of public transport as well as phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles. It’s so great to see First and SP Energy Networks playing their part in helping us to achieve our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.”