A FLEET of new buses which form part of an £8.1 million investment to help reduce emissions and boost air quality in Bradford will be on district roads from tomorrow.

First West Yorkshire is investing in a total of 39 new buses, including 28 double-decker vehicles, to be on the district's routes by the summer. The project also includes 11 single-decker buses will be on the district's roads this summer.

The first vehicles will be on the X6 and 72 services, which operate between Bradford and Leeds, from tomorrow.

 

The ultra-low emission vehicles feature the best performing Euro VI diesel engine technology, which achieves significant reductions in the most harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxide. This means the vehicles are 95 per cent cleaner than some they are replacing.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The new light blue and navy coloured buses also feature City of Bradford branding on the vehicles.

The buses include free Wi-Fi, next stop audio announcements and USB charging points.

First has pumped in the investment in the buses, with extra funding support from Bradford Council.

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Representatives from both First West Yorkshire and the council were in City Park yesterday alongside three of the double decker buses.

Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe; cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, and Paul Matthews, managing director of First West Yorkshire, attended the event.

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Cllr Hinchcliffe says the new buses are important to improve the air quality in Bradford and people are concious of environmental issues in recent times.

She said: "It is great to see the investment that First West Yorkshire have made to ensure that their fleet will contribute to reducing pollution and improving air quality in the district.

"The buses look good, inside and out.

"Bradford Council has worked with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to facilitate the upgrade of over 300 buses to meet Clean Air Zone standards and is also supporting current Zero Emission Busa Fund applications by Transdev and Arriva which will hopefully see 40 elctric buses coming into service in the district next year. 

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"Things are evolving all of the time, and they have to. People are more aware of poor air quality as well."

First has also completed the retrofit of 99 buses with replacement exhaust systems, with only a few still to be converted.

Mr Matthews added the new buses help the firm 'play our part in achieving major improvements to air quality in the Bradford city region'.

He said: "Buses are key to tackling congestion and reducing emissions.

"The buses are part of the solution for cleaner air.

"A fully-loaded double decker bus can take 75 cars off the road."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The old and the new of bus travel in Bradford The old and the new of bus travel in Bradford