Andrew Gwynne MP - | Andrew welcomes new buses for Tameside

Andrew welcomes new buses for Tameside

Stagecoach Manchester has launched an investment of more than two million pounds in its Tameside fleet, with the launch of 15 brand new buses at the company’s Ashton depot.

Shadow Transport Minister, Andrew Gwynne MP, last week joined the Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, Chris Bowles, and a number of staff at the depot, off Clarence Street, to officially launch the 15 single decker buses.

The new buses will replace 13 year old vehicles currently stationed at the depot, and will run on the 346 and 347 routes, serving customers in Hyde, Dukinfield, Ashton, Denton and Haughton Green.

All vehicles in the new fleet will be more fuel efficient than their predecessors, and they will also be fitted with voice-enabled CCTV, to provide customers with safer, greener public transport.

The investment follows the recent launch of a new timetable for the 346 route, which now has more daytime services, to provide local communities with more convenient transport links throughout the borough.

Speaking at the launch, Andrew Gwynne MP, congratulated Stagecoach on its investment and commitment to the area. He said

“It is fantastic to see a company making sure that it is providing top quality, green vehicles, for its customers. In this current difficult economic climate, for many people, public transport is the only option for getting around the region. Stagecoach Manchester’s investment ensures that its customers are travelling on safe, modern, and fuel efficient vehicles, proving its commitment to its customers.”

Chris Bowles, said: “I am proud to be able to announce this good news about the investment in our Ashton fleet. We constantly strive to improve the quality of travel for our loyal customers, and we are very excited about the 15 new buses that we have just brought into service.

“We are also committed to making our service as environmentally friendly as possible, and reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The introduction of the new Enviro 200’s is just one more step we are taking to create a greener fleet.”

To celebrate the launch of the new buses, and to support Stagecoach Group’s annual environmental awareness week ‘Green Week’, representatives from Stagecoach Manchester will be boarding 346 and 347 services on Tuesday 24^th May, to hand out green goodies to passengers.

As part of ‘Green Week’ the representatives will also be launching a competition to win a year's free travel on the Stagecoach Manchester network, which customers will be able to enter via the company’s website www.stagecoachbus.com