Some of the 11 new diesel-electric buses for Arriva's Greenway service 71 at Maidstone at the Kent Showground

by Alan Watkins

There's a new look, a new sound and the promise of a lot cleaner air coming to Maidstone.

Arriva is introducing a fleet of 11 hybrid electric buses that use two engines, but generate less contamination, to one of their busiest routes from March 24.

Service 71 from Maidstone to Snodland and Larkfield is being given a makeover as it becomes the Cleanway Service 71 along London Road.

The company has invested £3.3million in the fleet of Volvo doubledeckers, which were unveiled to passengers and politicians at the Kent Showground by transport minister Norman Baker yesterday.

The buses have a new leaf-strewn livery, are silent when the electric batteries start running and are a lot quieter than conventional buses when the small diesel engine is used to supplement power.