Trials of an electric bus have started in Brighton and Hove as two local companies vie to get more environmentally friendly services up and running.
Brighton and Hove Buses started testing a small single-deck electric bus – known as a Streetair – on the number 50 route between Hollingdean and Churchill Square.
At the same the Big Lemon is testing its new buses with a view to finding out how they get on in Brighton and bringing them into service next month.
The city has repeatedly breached European Union air pollution limits, particularly along high-sided narrow roads such as North Street, London Road and Rottingdean High Street.
Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Martin Harris said: “We are excited to start this electric bus trial so we can see how the vehicle copes with the city’s topography and high passenger volumes.
“We foresee that ‘electric’ will form part of a multi-pronged strategy for a sustainable transport system for the future and are currently exploring a number of fuel options for the short, medium and long term.”
The Streetair electric bus has come from the Northern Irish bus maker Wrightbus. It will be charged overnight and will carry messages to tell passengers and residents about the trial. The local trial will last for a couple of months.
The 50 runs between Churchill Square and Hollingdean, passing the Theatre Royal, Palace Pier, Sea Life Centre, Old Steine, Royal Pavilion, Brighton Museum and Jubilee Library.
⚠ Unfortunately, our new #Streetair electric bus has encountered a breakdown en route, and therefore currently cannot operate. Apologies! ⚠
Good news and I hope we can now ditch those extremely dangerous bendy buses. Too large for their current route along Western Road.