Bus company Stagecoach has set itself a target of 100 percent zero-emission buses by the middle of the next decade.
The company, whose services include many in and around Swindon, says in a new report that the move could attract more than a 1m new passengers nationwide.
Stagecoach says the report identifies the scale of the opportunity that electric buses present, showing how they can attract a new generation of bus users.
More than a million current non-bus users say they would start to use services if electric buses were introduced in their local area, as long as fares and frequency remained the same.
Over nine million current passengers would expect to use the bus more often.
Chief executive Martin Griffiths said: "This report demonstrates the prize that is front of the country in terms of moving people out of cars and onto lower carbon forms of transport, if we get the transition to Zero Emissions Buses right.
"Not only can we reduce emissions by transforming the environmental footprint of the bus fleet, but we can build a new generation of bus passengers.
“This is exciting news for bus operators, the wider industry, government, local authorities and crucially for passengers. However, it’s clear that this is conditional on us all getting the transition right and ensuring that the priorities of passengers are put first.
"Our research makes clear that this transformational change needs to be done carefully. This road map is our contribution to the wider debate, setting out a plan that will support the whole sector make this a success.
"It’s clear that to achieve this we must take a collaborative approach that meets passenger expectations and focusses on improving the passenger experience. If we get this right there’s so much to gain, but if we don’t we risk setting back the transition to Net Zero.”
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “It’s wonderful to see such an ambitious vision from Stagecoach for a national zero emission bus fleet. It’s clear public transport will be vital in our journey towards greener transport and zero emission buses are a key part of this Government’s ambitions, as demonstrated by our commitment to support 4,000 zero emission buses.”
Stagecoach says the report identifies the scale of the opportunity that electric buses present, showing how they can attract a new generation of bus users.
More than a million current non-bus users say they would start to use services if electric buses were introduced in their local area, as long as fares and frequency remained the same.
Over nine million current passengers would expect to use the bus more often.
Chief executive Martin Griffiths said: "This report demonstrates the prize that is front of the country in terms of moving people out of cars and onto lower carbon forms of transport, if we get the transition to Zero Emissions Buses right.
"Not only can we reduce emissions by transforming the environmental footprint of the bus fleet, but we can build a new generation of bus passengers.
“This is exciting news for bus operators, the wider industry, government, local authorities and crucially for passengers. However, it’s clear that this is conditional on us all getting the transition right and ensuring that the priorities of passengers are put first.
"Our research makes clear that this transformational change needs to be done carefully. This road map is our contribution to the wider debate, setting out a plan that will support the whole sector make this a success.
"It’s clear that to achieve this we must take a collaborative approach that meets passenger expectations and focusses on improving the passenger experience. If we get this right there’s so much to gain, but if we don’t we risk setting back the transition to Net Zero.”
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “It’s wonderful to see such an ambitious vision from Stagecoach for a national zero emission bus fleet. It’s clear public transport will be vital in our journey towards greener transport and zero emission buses are a key part of this Government’s ambitions, as demonstrated by our commitment to support 4,000 zero emission buses.”
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