Bus designer and manufacturer Alexander Dennis has announced that it had delivered 67 low-emission Alexander Dennis Enviro200 for Rotala’s Bee Network fleet.
Alexander Dennis officially handed over the new buses 27 February at the Diamond Bus depot in Eccles in the presence of Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
60 of the low-emission buses provide continued investment into services franchised in the first phase of the Bee Network, which Rotala has been operating in Bolton and Wigan, as well of parts of Bury, Salford and north Manchester since September 2023.
These are split between 35 built to a length of 11.8m metres, and 25 shorter 9.7m vehicles.
READ MORE: Major battery-electric bus fleet launched in Oxford
Transport commissioner Vernon Everitt said: “Building the Bee Network is about delivering benefits to bus passengers across Greater Manchester.
“Key to that is the provision of these modern, accessible and environmentally friendly buses on routes providing vital access to public services and leisure facilities for local communities in Bolton and Wigan. And all of them have been built in the UK. It’s great to see them about to take to the road.”
All the buses that are built for Greater Manchester follow its standard Bee Network design, the bright yellow coloured buses built with room for two wheelchair users and provides real-time audiovisual passenger information.
Including the 67 Enviro200 for Rotala, a total of 450 low and zero emission Alexander Dennis buses have been delivered or ordered to date by the transport authority and its franchised operators.
Last year [7 August 2023], Alexander Dennis celebrated handing off its 1,500th electric bus to Go-Ahead London, the Enviro200EV bus now operating in the capital.
READ MORE: Alexander Dennis to deliver 33 electric double-deckers to Sound Transit
Alexander Dennis sales manager, Simon Wood, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Rotala as a customer for our environmentally clean buses and to support their provision of Bee Network services.
“Rotala’s choice of our Enviro200 has ensured that investment in better bus services for Greater Manchester also benefits communities across the UK where the buses have been built.
“Our comprehensive AD24 aftermarket offering gives TfGM and Rotala the peace of mind that these buses will be fully supported throughout long and profitable operating lives.”
Achievements and innovations in electric vehicles will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
