Kent and Dover councils have launched a fleet of Volvo BZL electric buses on the Dover Fastrack route, offering cleaner and more accessible journeys.
The historic coastal town of Dover has welcomed its first fully electric buses. Five new Volvo BZL electric vehicles will operate the Dover Fastrack network, connecting Whitfield with Dover town centre and Dover Priory railway station.
Funded through the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (zebra) scheme, the project is partnership between Kent County Council, Stagecoach South East and Dover District Council.
The new buses are designed for comfort and accessibility. They feature low-floor access, dedicated wheelchair spaces, on-board digital information screens and USB Type B and Type C charging points at every seat.
Each vehicle can travel up to 300 kilometres on a single charge, making them reliable and relatively inexpensive to run.
The launch marks the latest milestone for Dover Fastrack, introduced in November 2024 and operated by Stagecoach South East. Passenger numbers have grown steadily and the timetable has recently been extended to run earlier in the morning and later at night to meet the last high-speed trains.
Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Kent County Council, said: ‘The introduction of these electric buses is an important step in strengthening public transport for the Dover area.
‘This project reflects the strong partnership between KCC, Stagecoach South East and Dover District Council, and demonstrates our shared commitment to providing reliable, modern and high‑quality services for residents, businesses and visitors.’
Joel Mitchell, Managing Director of Stagecoach South East, adds: ‘This represents a major investment for the people of Dover and for Kent as a whole. These electric buses will provide a smoother, quieter journey for our customers while significantly reducing environmental impact. It’s an important step forward in delivering a more sustainable public transport network for the region.’
This article was first published on InfotecNews.
Image: Egor Litvinov/UnSplash
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