Bus operator announces £3m investment in flagship route

Bus operator trentbarton has announced a £3 million investment in one of its flagship routes.

The firm is investing in 10 brand new coaches for its Derby-Nottingham express route red arrow.

The arrival of the new coaches early next year will mean more than a quarter of trentbarton’s fleet has been renewed in just three years.

The firm said the continued investment underlines its “commitment to a future of high quality, greener services in the East Midlands”.

Tom Morgan, managing director of trentbarton, said: “Over the last three years we have invested over £13 million in brand new vehicles.

“Backed by our ongoing investment in our team, training and technology, we are wholly focused on boosting the nation’s number one public transport choice.

“We want to continue offering the highest quality service, delivered by to our best-in-the-business drivers, and that means continuously refreshing our fleet.”

The brand-new Yutong GT12 coaches which are set to be introduced on the red arrow route will each have 53 seats, USB charging ports and WiFi.

Tom said: “We’re sure our customers will appreciate red arrow’s upgrade, and that in turn will encourage more people to see the bus as the best, greenest and most relaxing and productive way to travel.”

Last year, 18 new buses joined trentbarton’s threes service as part of an investment in 20 new low-emission buses.

Each new bus joining trentbarton’s fleet meets or exceeds the latest Euro VI emissions standard, each emitting less nitrogen dioxide than a new car.

The firm said with a full bus carrying 15 times more people than a full car – and many cars carrying only the driver at peak times – the new red arrow coaches will provide a cleaner choice of transport for people along the busy Derby-Nottingham corridor.