Last weekend, First Glasgow unveiled the brand new ultra-low emission service 38 vehicles at an event in the city to kick off phase two of its vehicle investment as part of the next stage in Glasgow City Council’s Low Emissions Zone rollout.
The second phase of new vehicles being launched by the city’s largest bus operator, worth over £16 million, will take the total invested to over £30 million since October 2018. This included a £400k of investment from the Green Bus Fund and Transport Scotland, this follows on from more than £14million invested in 2018 by the local bus operator, and highlights First Glasgow’s commitment to improving the quality of offering to its customers whilst at the same time playing its role in improving air quality in the city.
At an event hosted by the Capital FM radio team and presenters Katy J and Garry Spence, the brand-new service 38 vehicles were unveiled and put on public display on Saturday, February 16th. The Capital team gave away spot prizes and there was live music from talented musicians Tommy McGuire and Ben Monteith to help celebrate the launch.
And there is much more to come as First Glasgow have four more routes to rollout over the coming months as they continue their improvement of local services across the city and surrounding areas.
Councillor Anna Richardson was on hand to help launch the second phase of new vehicle rollouts for First Glasgow and she reiterated her commitment to working in partnership to deliver the very best local transport that the city deserves.
Cllr Anna Richardson, Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction at Glasgow City Council said: “Through partnership working, we’ve taken great strides to improve Glasgow’s air quality, knowing it can be a significant factor in local health inequalities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable in our society.
“Our pioneering Low Emission Zone - the first ever in Scotland, will improve air quality and deliver better health outcomes for the people of Glasgow as well as improving the amenity of our city centre, making it a safer and cleaner place to be.
“It’s heartening to know that these brand-new vehicles, which meet the strict emission standards required by Glasgow’s LEZ, will soon be operating in our city centre and beyond.
“We worked closely with the bus operators to bring in the LEZ last year as planned and we’ll continue to work in partnership to improve services that are vital to the lives of Glaswegians.
“Glasgow’s LEZ only affects local service buses at present but by the end of 2022, its emission standards will apply to all vehicles entering the zone. This phased approach looks at the city’s overall needs and gives individuals and businesses time to prepare.”
Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director for First Glasgow, adds: “We are committed to working with Glasgow City Council, Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Minister to improve the city’s bus services. The bus is very much part of the solution when it comes to reducing emissions on our already congested roads as one full low emission bus can take up to 75 cars off the road.
“By deploying our new Euro VI technology vehicles that offer more comfort and are eco-friendlier we are headed in the right direction, but I know that a lot more can be achieved with strong working partnerships as we look to make public transport a more attractive alternative to the car for more people.
“These new vehicles not only represent a significant investment in new fleet, but they represent a vast improvement in on-board standards with more comfortable seating, free WIFI and USB charging points aimed at giving customers a better experience. There really has never been a better time to try the bus.
“In addition to the 150 new Glasgow vehicles introduced since October 2018, First Bus in Scotland continue to explore new fuel technologies and will be working with Scottish Power Energy Networks to introduce two electric vehicles to the city of Glasgow, as well as continuing to work with Aberdeen City Council on the next phase of Hydrogen bus deployment in Aberdeen.”
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