More new buses could be heading to Guernsey

Tuesday 13 February 2018

34 StreetVibe buses will be running services in Guernsey by the end of 2018 if the States agree to pay for more of them.

The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure wants to buy an additional 22, as part of Phase 2 of its bus replacement programme.

There are already 12 of the Euro VI Diesel StreetVibes in service locally. They were introduced in 2017 after the States agreed they could be bought at a cost of £1.65million in October 2015. That was phase one of the bus replacement programme, alongside a second-hand minibus which was bought for £71,800 to run the community-orientated services.

If Phases 2 and 3 are also backed, E&I wants to replace its 22 remaining Dart Myllennium buses, which came into service in 2003 and then the eight Dart Nimbus which were introduced in 2004/5.

In total they would cost £2,893,000 or £131,500 each. E&I says this will be a saving of £147,620 in total based on 2018 prices. 

E&I says it is "keen to make the island’s bus fleet as clean and efficient as possible, which long-term will mean a shift to an alternative fuel fleet."

The committee says electric buses are not yet viable for the island, with the latest StreetVibe buses considered "the best possible option at this stage.

"They meet all the island fleet’s requirements in terms of range, width and capacity and they also represent the best value for money. Importantly, in terms of harmful pollutants, these Euro VI Diesels emit 92% less NOx and 90% less Particulate Matter compared with the older Euro III buses."

Deputy Barry Brehaut, President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, said:

"The importance of the bus service to the success of the Integrated Transport Strategy should not be underestimated. We have seen significant growth in passenger journeys in recent years and this further emphasises the importance of the service. We must have a modern, clean and efficient fleet of buses to help the service further develop over the next 10 years.

"The majority of the remaining ageing bus fleet are in urgent need of replacement and we’re looking to progress that without delay. As such, the proposed revised programme for Phases 2 and 3 is intended to accelerate this process and address the deficiencies in the current fleet. In turn, this will provide a more robust fleet of vehicles to deal with anticipated future demands of the public on the bus service by the end of 2020. 

"We have managed to negotiate a favourable deal with Wrightbus for the supply of 22 more StreetVibes – it provides exceptional value for money and also has the added benefit of the vehicles being available for delivery within a relatively short delivery timeframe, leading to further potential savings on maintaining the existing fleet."