A total of 62 new vehicles will be operational in Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant and Fareham. They will be rolled out at the start of April.
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02:26 >> So Simon, you've introduced the two of the upgrading electric feats of
02:30 people of Portsmouth, give us your thoughts on it.
02:32 Why is the company invested this much in new electric vehicles?
02:36 >> Yeah, sure.
02:37 First of all, what a fantastic turnout here this morning in Portsmouth to help us
02:41 with this soft launch.
02:43 So we brought two vehicles out to Portsmouth today.
02:46 We've invested in electric right across the UK.
02:50 And we've made a very clear commitment that by 2035,
02:53 our plan is to have a zero emission fleet completely.
02:57 And in Portsmouth, we've invested in electric because there's a climate
03:02 challenge and a climate emergency.
03:04 And we see that it's our responsibility to do our bit to reduce emissions here
03:09 in Portsmouth.
03:10 And by introducing a zero emission fleet,
03:12 that's a great, great step in the right direction.
03:15 >> We're investing these new vehicles into the fleet.
03:17 Do you see more people choosing to use the bus?
03:20 >> Yeah, that's interesting.
03:21 Personally, I think so because I think personally,
03:24 nowadays people are much more conscious around the impact that their behaviors
03:27 and how they live their lives has on the environment.
03:30 And naturally, having the choice to use a vehicle that obviously produces
03:33 zero emission versus alternatives has to now be a factor in people's
03:37 decision making.
03:38 I'm absolutely convinced that it's going to see the ongoing growth in people
03:42 using the buses continue.
03:44 >> And this fleet will be operating not just in Portsea Island,
03:46 but it will be operating in Gosport and Fairham as well.
03:49 Was that a major thing that you guys wanted to consider to operate on the
03:52 whole route rather than just the island itself?
03:54 >> Yes, it was.
03:55 And as the technology developed and the range of the battery started to
03:58 increase as well, we felt that it was important that we utilize as much
04:02 of the network around the island as we possibly can.
04:06 So as you say, these vehicles will be serving Portsmouth,
04:08 but Fairham and Gosport too.
04:10 >> What other benefits will this new electric fleet bring to commuters?
04:15 >> They're a smooth ride.
04:16 There's no doubt about it.
04:17 The drivers love them.
04:18 All our drivers have been trained now.
04:20 And the feedback we've had where we've launched this exact same vehicle
04:23 elsewhere in the UK is it's such a smooth, quiet, comfortable ride.
04:27 And I'm sure that our passengers will notice a difference straightaway.
04:31 >> The company's invested a lot in Portsmouth itself.
04:34 Why was that focus here in this city?
04:36 Why not somewhere else?
04:38 >> Portsmouth is a really buoyant market for us,
04:41 one of the most buoyant that we have across the UK.
04:44 And it's testament to what we've achieved through partnership working
04:47 with Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council as well.
04:51 There's been a £48 million bus service improvement plan that's been
04:55 delivered here in Portsmouth.
04:56 So we're improving the speed of journeys.
05:00 We are reducing the cost of travelling by bus.
05:04 And it's just a great place to be in Portsmouth at the moment in terms of
05:07 public transport and bus use.
05:09 >> Do you think this new electric fleet will also improve the efficiency of routes?
05:13 >> Yes, I think it will.
05:15 And coupled with some advancements in technology,
05:18 so we've got some fantastic data, and absolutely we see that these will
05:22 help speed up journeys, make journeys more efficient.
05:26 But at the same time, it's still really key that we engage with the
05:29 customer and shape that network around the ever-evolving demands that we
05:34 have in our operating area.
05:36 >> Bus usage dropped off a tiny bit due to the pandemic and some of the
05:40 social distancing measures that we all had to abide by at the time.
05:43 Has the company seen bus usage in Portsmouth and the surrounding area
05:47 increase to a certain extent?
05:49 And do you see that increase going further with this new fleet?
05:52 >> Yeah, as I say, Portsmouth has been one of our most buoyant markets.
05:55 And even post-pandemic, we've seen routes recover to pre-COVID rates.
06:00 And we no longer really use the pre-COVID as a kind of comparison now.
06:04 We are in the luxury of having this growth market here in Portsmouth.
06:09 More and more people are taking the bus.
06:11 And as I say, we're doing everything we can to further enhance that growth.
06:15 >> And finally, when is the new electric fleet going to be in and operating
06:19 in Portsmouth, and how many vehicles are being added?
06:22 >> Sure, we've got 62 vehicles coming into the fleet, which is hugely exciting.
06:26 We're just in the moment going through the infrastructure installations,
06:29 which will basically allow us to charge all the vehicles,
06:32 which you can imagine is quite a feat.
06:34 But we are on track with that target, and so we're hoping to start to roll
06:38 these vehicles out in service towards the end of the month and into April.
06:43 As soon as the power's on, we'll start to transform the way we operate our buses in Solent.
06:48 >> So Gerald, we're seeing two of the new electric buses that are going to be part of the new fleet.
06:53 What do you think of them?
06:54 >> Oh, they're really good. It's been great to go on a ride around the city in them.
06:58 They're really quiet, and the most important thing is they don't chuck out fumes,
07:02 so really help with reducing air pollution.
07:05 >> What other benefits will these buses bring to people in Portsmouth?
07:08 >> Oh, they're new, they're modern, they've got Wi-Fi on them, they're comfortable.
07:12 So it's just another way of encouraging more people to take the bus in Portsmouth.
07:17 And so that people choose to leave the car at home.
07:20 >> It's been a collaborative effort with the investment, hasn't it?
07:23 Millions of pounds being put into this.
07:24 Why is the council prioritising public transport in this way?
07:27 >> Because we're a city where there are now 17,000 more cars than there were 10 years ago.
07:34 And we have to find ways of having a real alternative for people driving a car.
07:39 So lots of people don't have cars, but people who do, we want to encourage them to leave the car at home,
07:45 use public transport, or walk, or cycle.
07:48 So it's just an alternative, and it's good for the economy of the city,
07:53 it's good for the environment of the city, and it's good for the residents of the city.
07:57 >> What routes are going to be added for the electric buses? Which routes are they going to appear on?
08:01 >> So it's the 1 and 3 within Portsmouth, the 6 and 7 outside of the city,
08:05 because we're part of a wider area.
08:08 It is Gosforth, Bearham, Paddon and Portsmouth all together.
08:12 And that's the right thing, because we're all one travel to work area, and it's good that we all work together.
08:18 >> The local authorities have invested a lot in public transport,
08:21 so there are other local authorities across the country even cutting bus services.
08:24 Why are Portsmouth continuing to invest in them?
08:26 >> Well, we're making bus services way better here in Portsmouth.
08:30 We've got night buses for the first time for years and years.
08:33 We've got buses running later in the evenings, earlier in the mornings, and at weekends as well.
08:40 So we're investing, trying to make sure that there's a really good alternative to going by car.
08:47 And it's really important for the city.
08:49 >> Do you see a major uptick in bus usage?
08:52 >> Yes, we're seeing every month more and more people using the bus, which is really good.
08:57 >> Why do you think that uptick is increasing? Is it just the better buses themselves, or is it a cost-living thing?
09:02 >> I think there's a whole range of reasons.
09:04 We need to say thank you to the government. The £2 fare helps.
09:08 But I think people who were frightened about being on the bus during the pandemic are now coming back to using it more and more.
09:15 >> And do you see those numbers continue to increase with the new fleet coming?
09:19 >> Yes, I'm sure they will, because it's a new and attractive way of travelling around the city.
09:23 And with the new terminal where the new centre used to be, that will be a great addition as well to the city.
09:31 >> New electric vehicles are going to be put in place in Portsmouth and the surrounding area as First Bus continues their investment.
09:38 A £12.7 million project was put together with the company and the local authority to try and encourage more people to use the bus.
09:46 Bus usage dropped off during the pandemic, but has seen a gradual recovery since.
09:50 We'll see if this continues with this new fleet coming up.
09:53 Freddie Webb, Portsmouth News, Gilderall Square.