Twenty-four new Stagecoach buses will be running in Thanet from next month.
The £4 million investment is for the fleet of bio-diesel single deckers will operate on the popular high frequency Loop service connecting Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Westwood and Margate.
The new buses come with the latest ‘Euro 6’ cleaner and greener engines that meet the Government’s Low Carbon Emission Bus specification and London’s new Ultra Low Emission Zone standard.
Joel Mitchell, Managing Director at Stagecoach South East, said: “This is a huge investment in the community – providing higher standards of mobility and helping to improve air quality for Thanet.
“We want to support a low carbon future and give commuters, shoppers, families and students, a fantastic travelling experience.”
Stagecoach says the Loop carried more than 4 million passengers in 2018 with the buses running around every 8 minutes Mondays to Saturdays and every 10 minutes on Sundays.
As well as being more environmentally friendly, the buses are equipped with WiFi and USB charging points to keep customers connected and fully charged whilst on the move. They offer more room and comfort than their predecessors with high back double-padded seats and a striking new Loop livery on the outside.
Stagecoach has also confirmed that the new buses will be fitted with next stop audio visual announcements making it easier for passengers to identify which bus stop they’re approaching. The bus company says that this will be helpful to those people who may be new to the area, visiting or customers that require a little more help with bus travel.
All the new vehicles have been built in the UK, helping to support hundreds of British manufacturing jobs and smaller businesses in the supply chain.
South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay said: “Bus services are essential for enabling people to get to work, school, access healthcare or simply visit friends or go shopping. As the local MP I am committed to supporting our bus services in Thanet and very much welcome the news that £4 million has been invested by Stagecoach in 24 British-built single deck buses to operate on the Thanet Loop, a service that I regularly use.”
Thanet residents will have the chance to take a sneak peak at one of new buses during a series of bus road shows. A bus will be on show at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre on Tuesday June 25 and on Wednesday, June 26 at Ramsgate Harbour in the morning and at Margate’s Cecil Square during the afternoon.
