Three diesel-electric hybrid Metroshuttle buses have taken to the road in Stockport town centre. The environmentally friendly vehicles use up to 30% less fuel and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 30 tonnes a year.
The free Stockport Metroshuttle service was originally launched in November 2008 by the Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to assist shoppers and tourists traveling around the town.
The buses are also equipped with modern technology that combines automatic passenger counting, CCTV, and vehicle location and diagnostics in a single integrated system – ensuring bus users feel safe and secure, and the service runs smoothly.
Martin Candler, pictured left on diesel-electric hybrid Metroshuttle bus, Executive Member for Communities and Sustainability at Stockport Council, said:
“The Metroshuttle buses are hugely popular with the borough’s residents and businesses, allowing them easy access to town centre attractions, shops, car parks and the bus and railway stations. The new buses will carry on the great service, keeping the town connected, but now in a greener and more efficient way.”
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said:
“Greater Manchester now has more green buses than anywhere in the UK outside London. It’s particularly important that we do our best to reduce emissions on our busy town centre roads so I’m pleased that Stockport residents will benefit from these hybrid-electric buses on the popular Metroshuttle service.”
The service continues to run from outside Stockport rail station entrance and stops at Merseyway Shopping Centre, Princes Street, Warren Street, Stockport Market, Underbanks, the Peel Centre, and Tesco supermarket at Portwood and Town Hall every 12 minutes between 8am- 6.30pm Mondays to Saturdays, and between 10.30am-5.30pm on Sundays.