New environmentally-friendly buses are launched in Portsmouth

A FLEET of new, greener buses will hit Portsmouth’s roads on Saturday.
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First Solent has spent £4m on 24 new buses, which will replace the current vehicles using the 7 and 8 Star services.

Boasting environmentally-friendly technology, USB charging ports, free WiFi and a new colour scheme, it is hoped that the new buses will encourage more people to ditch travelling by car.

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Marc Reddy, MD of First Solent, with the new 7 and 8 Star buses. Picture: David GeorgeMarc Reddy, MD of First Solent, with the new 7 and 8 Star buses. Picture: David George
Marc Reddy, MD of First Solent, with the new 7 and 8 Star buses. Picture: David George

The Alexander-Dennis Enviro200s were unveiled outside Portsmouth Guildhall this morning.

Marc Reddy, First Solent’s managing director, says the difference between the old and the new is noticeable from the moment you step on board.

He said: ‘We’ve got new coffee shop-style flooring, the charging ports and WiFi, but the most important thing is contributing to the environment.

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‘These diesel engines are six times cleaner than the car equivalent – it has stop-start technology so our engines will be off at the traffic lights and the fumes go through particulates and filters to produce 95 per cent less nitrogen dioxide emissions.’

As the new buses come into service this weekend, the old buses will be refurbished for use elsewhere in Hampshire.

The Star bus fleet was set up in 2008, coinciding with the creation of the A3 corridor – now, 2.5m journeys are made by passengers each year.

Each bus can carry up to 73 passengers, with 39 seats.

'This investment shows our commitment to improving our service and to public transport here in the city,’ Mr Reddy said.

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‘During peak times you can actually get to places faster on our buses because of the traffic.

‘At the same time you can sit on your phone to watch TV, get work done – just do all the things you can’t do when in a car.’

Councillor Lynne Stagg, Portsmouth City Council's cabinet member for traffic and transport, has welcomed the investment in the ongoing fight against air pollution.

Last year, the transport boss helped launch the council’s ‘Cough, Cough. Engine Off.’ campaign.

She said: ‘I’m very happy that the engines cut off as I’m constantly fighting engine-idling, so it's very important to have that feature.’

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