EV bus launch in Kirkcaldy

Six new electric buses are being introduced to routes in Kirkcaldy

Transcript

00:00I'm here at Kirkcaldy Galleries this morning for the launch of Stagecoach's electric vehicles,

00:09which are about to take to the roads in Kirkcaldy, Angle and Ruthless very shortly. As part of

00:13the company's ongoing expansion of its fleet of EV vehicles, it takes them to 41 in total,

00:19and there'll be six vehicles hitting the roads of the Langtown, Angle and Ruthless in a £2.1

00:23million investment. Today we get a chance to have a little burl on it and go round the

00:27town and see what it's like to travel on an electric vehicle. So come on board and let's have a look.

00:57Good morning, how are you?

00:59Hi, how are you?

01:01What?

01:04It's very quiet.

01:24This environment on board, the quality that has come through in this new design of vehicles,

01:29and it's a new step change both for passengers and for their drivers.

01:34So you will see technologies such as we no longer have wing mirrors on the bus we have

01:39video cameras just above my head there and the driver has display screens in the cab which gives

01:45much better clarity particularly in dark weather and evenings. It's quieter and more comfortable

01:51to travel on board and USB charging points and next stop announcements introduced on these new

01:57vehicles as well. Our team based in Glenrothes depot will be looking after the vehicles

02:02and learning the skills required to maintain the latest technology involved.

02:07The charging infrastructure has been installed there and that will allow the buses to be charged

02:13overnight and then come to Kirkcaldy, operate all day and then go home before they need

02:19charged again the following night so we'll do a full day service on the single charge.