Electric Buses for Park & Ride Service

Published on: 20 Dec, 2018
Updated on: 21 Dec, 2018

Electric Bus

Nine new, fully electric, zero-emission buses are set to be introduced on the Guildford Park & Ride service next month.

Surrey County Council and Stagecoach have worked in partnership to bring the single-decker buses, built by Guildford based manufacturer Alexander Dennis, to the town.

Cllr Mike Goodman

Surrey County Council cabinet member for environment Mike Goodman said: “This is fantastic news for Guildford. Not only will the new park and ride fleet of buses be smoother and quieter, they will be much better for the environment while also bringing an economic boost to the county because local company Alexander Dennis is building them and using them will help to reduce congestion.

“Improving air quality by reducing vehicle emissions is a key priority for us and introducing Surrey’s first electric buses through securing £1.5 million in funding and Stagecoach’s generous contribution is just one piece of the jigsaw – we’ve also just outlined plans to help establish a comprehensive network of electric charging points and launched a drive to reduce pollution around schools.”

Stagecoach, Arriva, and local bus firm Safeguard, have been engaged in a bus war on the lucrative routes between the town centre and Park Barn/Westborough. There has also been criticism of the damaging environmental impact of empty or near empty, diesel-engined buses engaged in the bus war and servicing the underused Onslow Park & Ride car park.

Responses to Electric Buses for Park & Ride Service

Martin Elliott Reply

December 20, 2018 at 7:23 pm

Can Cllr Mike Goodman explain how an electric bus, a direct replacement of an existing shuttle service, reduces congestion?

Another special grant of £1.5 million from central government should more than cover the extra costs to Stagecoach of purchasing these electric buses and any necessary infrastructure. If it actually reduces the running costs, will that be passed on to the real user of these buses – who haven’t put their hand up yet – Guildford Borough Council.

GBC transfers over £600k a year from car parking fees and fines to make up the deficit of costs of the Park & Ride. Will the cost of running the buses reduce?
Bernard Parke Reply

December 20, 2018 at 7:50 pm

Good news on the pollution issue, but will it mean an increased financial burden for the hard-pressed council tax payer to pay?
Alan Cooper Reply

December 21, 2018 at 2:15 pm

I agree with both Martin Elliott and Bernard Parke. Great news for Guildford industry and pollution.

Perhaps these electric buses will be used on the busy routes rather than seeing so many empty Park & Ride buses. Maybe the borough council can re-educate residents on the benefits of the scheme. I don’t know the financial costs) but if the Park & Rides were better used then I can see that would assist a little with congestion.

Finally, would be very interested in the answers to the salient points that Martin Elliott raises regarding finance and costings.
Chris Ogle Reply

January 7, 2019 at 10:28 am

Really good to see the electric buses out on the road today. A great step to reduce pollution and also great to see that they have been made by Dennis.

I was a bit confused by the article. It mentions £1.5 million of funding and also a ‘generous contribution’ from Stagecoach. Has the £1.5 million come from Surrey County Council?

Are there plans for more and to replace all diesel with electric?

Knowing that range is always an issue with electric vehicles and that Tesla is struggling to produce an electric HGV, do we know the range of these buses?