More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An exclusive year-long trial of a "virtually silent" electric bus service is set to begin in what is being billed as a "major coup" for Kent's transport network.
Green bus technology is being rolled out across the Dartford and Gravesend Fastrack routes over the next two years.
It forms part of a county-wide pledge to make public transport more environmentally friendly.
Last month, the government announced that Kent County Council’s (KCC) £9.5 million bid to introduce a new fleet of electric buses in Dartford, Gravesham and Dover as part of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme had been successful.
The Kent Thameside scheme will see the 28-strong single-decker fleet introduced in April 2023 and will cater for an expanded Fastrack timetable running both day and night.
The buses will be charged by electric charging arms known as pantographs, which are being installed along the route. These will include two at Home Gardens.
Ahead of the full roll-out an exclusive year-long trial of the electric bus will also begin in Dartford at the start of next year on the Fastrack network.
Dartford MP Gareth Johnson lauded the scheme as a "major coup" for Dartford and its residents.
He said: “I welcome this announcement which will transform our bus network into a service fit for the future. It will mean all the Kent Thameside Fastrack buses have zero emissions.
“As people know, Dartford is one of the most polluted areas of the country and these new buses will help to reduce air pollution.
“These buses will not only improve our local transport network, they will help improve the health of everyone living here in Dartford.”
Volvo first trialled its generation 2 electric bus in Kent as part of a national pilot in 2018.
It has now exclusively selected Dartford to showcase its generation 3 ‘BZE’ single decker bus with a double decker duplicate to be rolled out in the capital.
KCC has been awarded the funds from the ZEBRA scheme, which includes five buses on the new Dover Fastrack network as well as the 28 buses for the Kent Thameside Fastrack network.
Fastrack development manager Shane Hymers said: “Going zero-emission was my priority for Fastrack and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the Fastrack customers, staff, stakeholders, and friends who have helped us shape the ZEBRA bid.
“I would also like to personally thank Gareth Johnson for his endorsement of our ambitions and Government funding bid.
“Beyond electrification, Kent County Council also listened very carefully to the wants and needs of our customers in terms of design features and the new fleets will have features especially tailored to their requests not seen on Kent buses before."
Confirming the success of Kent’s bid, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "I'm pleased we have awarded funding for 33 single decker electric buses and all the charging infrastructure that goes with it.
"We are going to get the orders in and the infrastructure in place so that residents can enjoy brand new British buses in Kent very soon."
Fastrack is forecast to account for 25% of local trips come 2025.
Electric buses are at least 8 decibels quieter than the current fleet and will operate virtually silently through the night as part of its recently launched 24-hour service.
