Oxford’s Brookes buses will transition to an all-electric fleet
The new buses will increase the service’s sustainability and help in achieving Oxford’s carbon-neutrality goal.
The BROOKESbus was first launched in 2009 and transported around 23.5 million people in ten years to 2022, leading to an estimated 1.5 million car journeys being saved each year from Oxford’s busy roads and stopping about 15 million kg of carbon emissions.
The new electric BROOKESbuses are expected to be introduced by the end of 2023, with 21 buses in the first delivery.
Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said:
“Our partnership with Oxford Brookes University is based on strong shared sustainability and community values and we’re delighted to be entering our 15th year delivering crucial bus services to provide connectivity for its campuses and the wider community.
“Our partnership working with the University has achieved some excellent milestones in reducing private vehicle use and significantly improving Oxford’s air quality. Therefore, it is apt that the first delivery of 21 electric buses to go into service in the city will be on the BROOKESbus services to take us a step closer to Oxford becoming carbon-neutral.”
Oxford Brookes University and Oxford Bus Company, both members of the Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership, aim to accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy in Oxford and across the UK.
As part of the UK Government’s decarbonisation pledge for transport, the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme funded the Oxfordshire County Council and its partners to deliver a total of 159 electric buses that will operate in the Oxford region, including the BROOKESbus services.
The partnership between Oxford Brookes and Oxford Bus Company will continue to deliver the BROOKESbus service, which provides crucial transport to students, staff, and the wider community. The new contract will see improvements in the BROOKESbus app to support the tracking of buses and purchase discounted tickets for travel outside Oxford.
Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Environment and Place, said: “This is a huge boost in the move towards creating a sustainable, decarbonised public transport system, and improving air quality. We believe that, along with other schemes proposed in the county, this new fleet of electric buses will transform our public transport system and encourage more people to travel by bus.”
Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Health and Transport, Oxford City Council, said:
“It is really good news that all BROOKESbus services will soon be electric. These services are used not just by Oxford Brookes students and staff, but also by local residents and workers getting to the John Radcliffe Hospital, as well as by visitors who can catch them from the Park & Rides. Getting rid of diesel and petrol-fueled buses is an important part of tackling toxic air pollution in the city. The switch also helps reduce our carbon emissions. I am looking forward to seeing these buses on our roads as soon as possible.”
