Falmouth operator OTS sees good results from EVM eCityline mini
Falmouth operator OTS Bus and Coach has reported strong performance from an EVM eCityline battery-electric minibus and notes how the vehicle has built a strong case for further investment into zero-emission vehicles by the independent business.
The eCityline project has been supported by a successful Cornwall Council bid to the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. On delivery in May, the minibus was Cornwall’s first modern electric bus to enter service.
It is utilised on service 60 in Falmouth, with its duty including a morning school journey. That sees it cover up to 80 miles per day. Route 60 passes through an otherwise pedestrianised are, which gave “a clear case for us to bring an electric vehicle to this service,” says OTS Bus Services Manager Craig George.
Since introduction, the 18-seat EVM eCityline has now covered 10,000 miles. Mr George says it is “a great tool” and notes that the minibus has been unavailable on only two days over that period.
“And on that occasion, EVM could not do enough to help us to get it back out working again. Since then, other than routine inspections, it has not needed anything – it goes out each day and does what we need it to.”
The operator has long experience with diesel Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based minibuses. Mr George adds that route 60 has always operated with those and that a specific size of vehicle is needed.
“We knew the key was to have a low-floor EV bus with good capacity in a small footprint with a high level of compatibility with our existing fleet. This Sprinter is a proven product for us; we know it inside out.
“We also hold the EVM Cityline in very high regard, with internal combustion engine variants serving us very well over the last five years. All those factors made the eCityline an easy choice.”
In addition to the vehicle, OTS has invested in a solar energy project at its depot. That work was part-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocated through Cornwall Council’s Growth Hub Grants programme.
109 solar panels are installed on one building roof. They power the depot and feed 90kWh of energy storage on site. Mr George notes how as a result, good weather days can allow the operator to fully charge the EVM eCityline from solar generation.
He adds that drivers and passengers like the battery-electric minibus, as do engineers. On further investment in zero-emission, other bus workings cover significantly higher mileage than the eCityline, but the vehicle “has been a great foundation to give us confidence that even as an SME operator, the future of operating electric buses is very bright indeed.”
Pulhams Coaches adding five more Irizar integrals to its fleet
Pulhams Coaches is adding five new Irizar i6S Efficient integral vehicles as part of what the Cotswolds operator says is parent company Go-Ahead Group’s ongoing growth strategy for its coach businesses.
Go-Ahead took ownership of Pulhams in 2023, which it has followed up with several more coach operator purchases. The five new vehicles represent an investment of £1.5 million and accompany launch of a recruitment campaign for additional coach drivers to join Pulhams.
Irizar UK is supplying the new coaches, which are a mix of 53- and 57-seaters. The first two are 13.2m tri-axles and entered service on 30 October. The remaining three are 12.9m two-axle variants that will arrive over the coming weeks. All are to a specification that includes USB charging, a boiler, a toilet, and PSVAR compliance.
Speaking about the Irizar additions, Pulhams Coaches Managing Director Luke Marion says: “This latest significant investment in our fleet of vehicles reflects our strong business performance and busy forward order book.
“We are committed to providing an exceptional service to our customers and ensuring that coach travel is as attractive as possible. Having high-quality vehicles helps to enhance the customer experience we deliver.”
The new coaches will be used on tours, day trips and private hire by Pulhams and they accompany multiple previous Irizar i6S deliveries into its fleet.
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