Lothian Buses adds nine new electric buses to major city centre route as part of net zero plans
Nine new single-deck electric buses have been added to the service 36 route
Lothian Buses has introduced a fleet of new electric buses onto a busy Edinburgh route as part of a £3.6 million investment.
Nine brand-new Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner vehicles have been added to the service 36, which runs from Ocean Terminal to the Gyle Centre via Edinburgh city centre.
Each new single-deck bus can carry up to 76 passengers an includes a dedicated wheelchair space, a multi-use area for buggies and those with mobility aids, as well as priority seating.
The electric buses have also been described as offering passengers a “quieter and smoother journey”.
The electric fleet was introduced following a £3.6m investment as the transport company continues to commitment to modernize their vehicle fleet and create a more sustainable transport network within the city.
Dylan Dastey, engineering director Lothian Buses said: "We're delighted to welcome these new GB Kite Electroliner vehicles into service in partnership with Wrightbus.
"This investment is about delivering the best possible experience for our customers, with modern vehicles that are comfortable, accessible and reliable. The new buses provide a quieter and smoother journey while helping us continue to improve the quality of our network.
"As customer expectations evolve, it's important that we continue investing in our fleet and infrastructure to ensure public transport remains an attractive, accessible and convenient choice for people travelling across Edinburgh."
Lothian Buses first introduced electric vehicles to its fleet in 2024, when five double-decker buses were introduced to the service 8 and service 9 routes.
The move was part of the company’s ‘Lothian: Driving towards Net Zero’ plan, which has put an aim of the entire fleet achieving net zero emissions by 2035.
Christian Reynolds, managing director of Wrightbus, said: “We are proud to be working with Lothian Buses as it continues its drive towards an all zero-emission fleet.
“Wrightbus has a proud history of working with Lothian. This latest partnership is not only another step towards decarbonising public transport, providing cleaner air for the people of Scotland, but also supports domestic supply chain jobs across Scotland and the UK.”