UK's Transdev Route 36, powered by electricity, bagged the prestigious UK innovation accolade.
Transdev, a leading transport operator, has announced plans to convert its Harrogate depot into a 100% electric bus operation. This move is part of a larger initiative to promote zero emission transport innovation in the UK and follows Transdev United Kingdom's win at the national E-Mobility Awards.
The award was given for Transdev United Kingdom's multi-million pound project to deliver 19 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400EV double deck vehicles, which will be used on route The 36, linking Harrogate with Leeds and Ripon. The project is part of a wider £21 million programme to replace its entire Harrogate fleet with new zero emission buses.
The innovation behind these Enviro 400EV buses includes several key features. Externally, Transdev's Enviro 400EV electric buses are equipped with digital electronic rearview cameras instead of traditional mirrors, providing drivers with enhanced visibility and clearer views of potential hazards. The interior of the buses offers customers a level of luxury unlike anything else on Britain's bus routes, with a glazed staircase, a two-plus-one seating layout, glazed roof panels, and wireless mobile device charging.
The lower deck of the buses includes two dedicated wheelchair spaces and high-visibility flooring and lighting. The custom engineering of the buses draws on Transdev's extensive operational experience, optimizing the buses for customer comfort and operational performance on The 36 route, which has over two million annual passenger journeys.
The project also involves a large-scale infrastructure upgrade at the depot, ensuring facilities to support full electric operation, highlighting a holistic approach to sustainable mobility. The funding for the project will cover just over a third of the total cost of 39 new electric buses and the re-equipping of Transdev's Harrogate depot with new technology.
The first new electric double-deck bus for The 36 was unveiled at a high-profile VIP launch in front of Harrogate's prestigious Yorkshire Hotel in June 2024. A free family party was held after the unveiling, featuring red and black ice creams for children and locally brewed beer for adults.
The new electric bus fleet is destined to make a significant impact on the region's transport sector, providing a reliable, premium-quality, and zero emission bus service on The 36 route. The project was recognized for its groundbreaking combination of vehicle innovation, safety enhancements, operational customizations, and commitment to decarbonizing public transport in a popular, high-usage corridor. The award was presented at the e-Mobility Awards at the British Motor Museum in July 2025.
The new buses have been joined by 20 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric single deckers, creating a complete new zero emission electric bus fleet at Transdev's depot in Harrogate. This move marks a significant step towards Transdev's goal of becoming a leader in sustainable transport solutions.
- Transdev, recognizing its victory at the national E-Mobility Awards, intends to invest in sustainable living by converting its Harrogate depot into a 100% electric bus operation, focusing on finance for a £21 million programme that will replace its entire fleet with new zero emission buses.
- As part of this initiative, Transdev United Kingdom will deliver 19 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400EV double deck vehicles, incorporating sustainable-living choices such as digital electronic rearview cameras, wireless mobile device charging, and high-visibility flooring and lighting, all features designed to promote the finance and industrial sectors' adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in transportation.
- In addition to these EV buses, the home-and-garden project at Transdev's Harrogate depot will include a large-scale infrastructure upgrade, focusing on a sustainable-living approach to support full electric operation, ensuring the success of the sustainable mobility revolution.
- The move towards an electric bus fleet in Harrogate signifies Transdev's commitment to lifestyle changes that promote zero emission transportation, aiming to not only transform the transport sector but also contribute to a cleaner, greener environment and becoming a leader in sustainable transport solutions.
