Hull’s move toward cleaner transport has taken another step forward with the completion of the first phase of East Yorkshire Buses’ electric vehicle infrastructure programme. Supported by Hull City Council funding, the upgrade prepares the operator for the arrival of 21 new Wrightbus electric buses later this year.
The new charging facilities at East Yorkshire’s Anlaby Road depot will also accommodate the council’s own passenger fleet. It marks part of a wider investment in low-emission transport, aimed at reducing the city’s carbon footprint and modernising its bus network.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, said: “Step-by-step we are seeing the revolution of Hull’s public transport. It was brilliant to see the progress that has been made by East Yorkshire and their contractors to install this new charging infrastructure in anticipation of the arrival of the first electric buses in the city.
“There are currently no electric or hybrid buses operating on public routes in Hull.
“Electric buses are greener and cleaner and will have a transformative impact on public transport throughout the city.
“In addition to the environmental benefits, the new vehicles will have a wider impact by changing how our residents, and visitors to Hull, see buses and help encourage, and increase, passenger demand.”
The project forms part of a £6 million allocation from the Department for Transport, secured by Hull City Council with regional partners, to fund 40 new electric buses and charging infrastructure. An additional £3.9 million has since been awarded under the ZEBRA2 (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) programme, enabling the purchase of 42 more buses across Hull and the East Riding.
Once deployed, a total of 82 electric buses will replace diesel vehicles operated by East Yorkshire and Stagecoach East Midlands. The shift will make Hull’s urban transport network largely zero-emission and represents one of the city’s most significant public transport transformations to date.
