Sheffield buses in £1.3m green engine government grant

One of Sheffield's main bus routes is getting a new fleet with cleaner engine technology after a government grant.
Transport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in SheffieldTransport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in Sheffield
Transport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in Sheffield

Around £1.3 million has been awarded to the Sheffield City Region to aid bus companies in rolling out clean and green technologies in a bid to cut air pollution.

The number 1 and 1a bus route was chosen due to its high frequency and passenger numbers.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in SheffieldTransport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in Sheffield
Transport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in Sheffield
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Some 44 buses with cleaner engines will run from High Green to Batemoor.

The vehicles will replace buses with cleaner technology such as hybrid, electric, hydrogen and bio-methane.

Speaking at First’s bus depot in Heeley, Sheffield, Transport Minister Andrew Jones said he saw the funding as a ‘broader continuation’ of clean bus technology funds from the government.

“It’s all about improving air quality in our cities, which I think will be very widely welcomed,” he said.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in SheffieldTransport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in Sheffield
Transport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in Sheffield
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“It’s a real mixture of buses, there are many different technologies that are coming into play to actually achieve some of the air quality improvements that we want to see.

“The announcement, which is £30 million, covers successful bids across the country.

“Buses are the work horses of our public transport system and we need to have it working as effectively as possible but it’s about making it work in a way which improves our air quality.”

Sir Nigel Knowles, chair of Sheffield City Region’s Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We not only want to see a well-run and frequent bus service, but also a sustainable and environmentally-friendly fleet of buses.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in SheffieldTransport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in Sheffield
Transport Minister Andrew Jones on a visit to the First Bus Depot in Sheffield
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“By making our buses cleaner we are making the region an even more attractive place to live and work, making sure the City Region air is less polluted.”

Sheffield City Region was one of the successful applicants alongside a range of other local authorities and transport bodies for cleaner engine technologies.

Transport for London and Birmingham City Council were jointly awarded £2.8m between them, Mersey Travel received £4.9m and Nottingham City Transport was handed £4.4m.