The funding from the Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) programme will help Stagecoach retrofit 63 buses and bring them up to the latest clean Euro VI standard. It will mean Stagecoach can deliver even cleaner journeys for communities in East Scotland.

For several years, Stagecoach has been the biggest operator of hybrid electric vehicles in Britain. The latest Euro VI buses emit fewer emissions overall than a Euro 6 car, as well as having up to 20 times the carrying capacity.

Douglas Robertson, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Scotland said: “Scotland’s buses are central to delivering cleaner air in our communities and saving the thousands of lives lost every year to air pollution. Buses are also vital in renewing our economy and keeping our communities connected, helping deliver a green recovery from Covid-19.

“As well as our own extensive investment in cleaner technologies for our own bus fleet, the biggest opportunity to clean up Scotland’s air is from people switching from polluting single person car trips to more sustainable shared public transport and active travel. Every bus journey includes walking, which contributes to better health and well-being.”

 Stagecoach is leading the deployment of cleaner technologies, including electric, hybrid electric and hydrogen-fuelled buses. It has invested more than £1billion in 7,000 new greener vehicles in the past decade, more than any other operator in the UK.