.
Register for Simon Calder’s complimentary travel newsletter to receive expert tips and cost-saving deals.
Receive Simon Calder’s newsletter for travel updates.
Coaches have surpassed trains in one fundamental aspect: providing all-electric travel between Bristol and London.
FlixBus successfully operated its inaugural electric bus route connecting two cities. The bus departed from Bristol at 8:30am and arrived at Victoria Coach Station in London in three hours and 10 minutes. Despite the journey, one-third of the bus’s battery was still unused.
“According to Andreas Schorling, the managing director of FlixBus UK, this represents a significant advancement for the coach industry in the UK. It not only maintains its already environmentally friendly nature, but also transitions to a completely emission-free option through groundbreaking technology.”
“We are reinforcing our dedication to providing sustainable transportation options for the public and our resolve to push for necessary changes in order to lessen our impact on the environment.”
The Yutong bus, produced in China, is currently undergoing a three-month evaluation period. Although it is promoted by FlixBus, the transportation company using it is Newport Transport in South Wales.
David Jenkins, temporary head of the company, stated, “Newport Transport has been at the forefront of employing electric vehicles for our local bus services in south east Wales and into England. This introduction of an electric vehicle into the intercity coach market is a significant advancement.”
On the first trip from the center of Bristol, passing through the University of the West of England campus, to Hammersmith and central London, 33 out of 46 seats were filled.
James Cheung, a student studying aerospace engineering in Bristol, declares the means of transportation between Bristol and London as remarkable.
“It is incredibly enjoyable, peaceful, seamless, and dependable. I believe this represents the future, as advancements in technology and batteries continue to improve and replace our outdated diesel infrastructure.”
The company states that the vehicle will reduce carbon emissions by 352kg per day when driven, in comparison to an average coach fueled by diesel.
By utilizing quick-charging stations located in Newport and the Transport UK depot in Battersea, the battery can be recharged within 90 minutes.
Ember, a start-up company, introduced the UK’s inaugural electric coach service in 2020, connecting Dundee and Edinburgh. The route between these two cities in Scotland is approximately half the distance between Bristol and London, which is 120 miles.
Despite launching during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, the service has been deemed successful and has garnered interest from investors.
The primary train station for Bristol, Bristol Temple Meads, is not equipped to support electric trains. As part of the Great Western Railway electrification project, which exceeded its budget three times, the overhead wires only reach up to Chippenham, which is 25 miles away from the station.
A representative from Network Rail stated that the government would be responsible for making any decisions regarding the potential electrification of the lines connecting Bristol Parkway to Bristol Temple Meads and Chippenham to Bristol Temple Meads.
Due to the Great Western Main Line already being electrified, the capacity has been enhanced, resulting in passengers in Chippenham, Bath, and Bristol still experiencing advantages, now that the Intercity Express Trains have been introduced. These trains allow for quicker trips to London Paddington, offer additional seats per day, and have a lower carbon footprint.
During the inaugural journey of the FlixBus electric service from Bristol to London, Mark Harper, the transport secretary, declared additional financial support for 25 local councils to reduce carbon emissions from their bus fleets.
He stated that in efforts to enhance local transportation nationwide, an additional £143 million will be allocated for the improvement of bus travel, specifically in rural regions. This will result in almost 1,000 new, environmentally-friendly buses taking to the streets.
To access travel updates, opinions, and tips from Simon, listen to his Independent Travel podcast released daily.
/health/…
“This article can be found on independent.co.uk discussing health-related topics.
