Arriva Midlands pioneers UK’s first service using new environmentally-friendly bus technology

Arriva, one of the UK’s largest bus operators, has introduced five new Environmentally Enhanced Vehicle (EEV) buses into its Midlands fleet. The low floor easy access buses are the first in UK passenger service to meet the most stringent EU emissions standard yet devised, and far exceed the current mandatory environmental standards.

Operating on routes 74 and 75 Chaselinx services, the buses have been introduced through a partnership between Arriva Midlands, bus builder WrightBus/VDL, Staffordshire County Council, and Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust. Wearing their special Chaselinx livery they will connect Cannock and Stafford, via Cannock and Stafford hospitals.

Bob Hind, managing director – Arriva Midlands, said: “As well as helping the bus to extend its environmental advantage over alternative forms of transport, the upgraded services will provide a much improved bus link for workers, business people, patients and visitors to the hospitals, shoppers and tourists. We, along with our other partners, hope they will bring opportunities for everyone in the local community to get on board.”

Steve Jackson, national accounts manager for Wrightbus, said: “With technology and innovation amongst the cornerstones of our business, it is particularly pleasing to be party to another industry first, in addition to being able to continue to meet Arriva’s specific operational requirements.”

The innovative buses took to the roads of Staffordshire on Monday 29 October.

Image caption: An image, courtesy of RouteOne magazine, of the new environmentally-friendly buses introduced by Arriva Midlands.