The colourful open-top buses, which feature a cheery updated livery designs are all kitted out to meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards as part of an ongoing drive by the bus company to help reduce pollution and improve air quality within the city centre. Euro 6 is the sixth incarnation of the European Union directive defining the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of both petrol and diesel vehicles.
The new buses, which went into service last week, have been introduced in time for the Summer holidays, appealing to local families as well as visitors looking for a ‘greener, smarter’ fun day out. A family ticket (which includes two adults and up to three children 5-15 years of age) costs just £39. Under 5s travel free.
The bus tours run daily all year round from 10.10am -18.30pm, leaving every 20 minutes from Silver Street (Stop 1). Last year, more than 40,000 people enjoyed one of Stagecoach’s City Sightseeing tours, which take in top attractions such as Kings College Chapel, University Botanic Garden, Fitzwilliam Museum, All Saints Church and the River Cam. A full tour lasts approximately 1hr 20mins - however, each ticket is valid for 24 hours and passengers can hop on, hop off at will.
The introduction of the new City Sightseeing buses represents a further £1.3million investment by Stagecoach East in ‘greener’ bus travel. Last year, the company invested £4.7million in a fleet of 22 Park & Ride buses fitted with environmentally-friendly stop-start technology, which prevents buses from ‘ticking over’ when caught in traffic or loading/unloading passengers - restricting the discharge of polluting particulate matter and reducing nitrous oxide emissions by up to 40 per cent.
Stagecoach East is committed to delivering greener, smarter travel where it can, and is already making a significant contribution towards reducing its carbon footprint. The company uses a specially blended 30 per cent bio-fuel across the entire Stagecoach East fleet and, last December, carried out a six-week trial of a biogas-powered double-decker on the Guided Busway,
Ross Burton, Commercial Director of Stagecoach East said: “As a company, we are intentional about future-proofing our public transport service with sustainability in mind – and are committed to making investments and changes which benefit both our passengers and their environment.
“We have introduced the new buses at the start of Summer as the City Sightseeing tour is a great thing to do, especially with the kids. What’s more, there is a 10 per cent discount for Megarider holders.”