Green buses take to road

LOCAL bus company Network Warrington launched six diesel-electric hybrid buses at an official ceremony at Warrington Town Hall, where the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Peter Carey officially cut the ribbon on one of the buses.
The buses are the Optare Versa model, built at Optare’s factory near Leeds, they feature Euro 5 Mercedes Engines and are noticeable by the roof pods which contain super-capacitors to store and re-use energy, the buses therefore offer a much better fuel economy over a conventional diesel with far fewer emissions, making them our greenest buses yet. Each of the 6 carries a promotional message; one bus will be used on the Town Centre “Centrelink” service, whilst the others will be used across the network.
The buses were purchased through the DfT’s Green Bus Fund initiative, whereby the company received a grant of £523,000 in order to part fund the purchase of the buses.
Managing Director, David Squire said: “We are proud to be introducing these buses into the town, they will assist the Council’s climate agenda in terms of reduced emissions and less fuel use. They are also our first buses to feature an audio-visual next stop announcement system, which gives customers information on the next bus stop, which is particularly useful for those customers who are visually or hearing impaired, or who are unfamiliar with the area”.

Pictured (L-R) Deputy Mayor Peter Carey, MD David Squire, Chairperson Maureen Banner and Council leader Terry O’Neill with the six new buses.