More electric buses on their way after successful funding bid by Milton Keynes Council

Milton Keynes Council has been awarded £1.75m to bring new electric buses to the city.
More electric buses set for Milton KeynesMore electric buses set for Milton Keynes
More electric buses set for Milton Keynes

The announcement was made this morning by Transport Minister, Andrew Jones MP.

The Low Emission Bus Scheme asked local authorities to submit their proposals to bring the benefits of low emission vehicles to their local area and winning bids were chosen by the scheme organisers the Department for Transport and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

“Low emission buses have already proved to be a real success across the country” said Mr Jones. “They are cost efficient, good for the environment, and there are wider benefits. By supporting this technology the government is ensuring the UK is driving innovation and investment up and down the country.”

The new vehicles will be implemented over the next two years into a cross-city route which will be served entirely by electric buses bringing the total of electric buses operating on key routes across MK up to 25%.

The Council’s successful bid builds upon the success of Route 7 which already has eight electric buses running along it, charging up at Wolverton and Bletchley on the underground charging plates.

The award-winning electric bus scheme has been operating since 2014 and has shown that electric buses can operate efficiently on a busy bus route.

Cllr Liz Gifford, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Transport said: “This is more great news for Milton Keynes and shows how much the Council is committed to reducing our city’s carbon footprint”

“We have recently announced free parking for ultra-low vehicles and are now increasing the number of electric buses on our city’s roads.”

“The Council will continue to work closely with transport partners to bring the best sustainable and reliable transport options to Milton Keynes’ residents”.