Transdev Celebrates 5 Million Electric Kilometres on World Environment Day

On June 5, which is celebrated as World Environment Day, regional bus operator Transdev is marking a significant achievement in sustainability. The company has reached a remarkable milestone of 5 million kilometres of electric bus travel across its Yorkshire network. This accomplishment highlights the growing commitment to environmentally friendly transport options in the region.

Transdev's Electric Journey

Over the past few years, Transdev has been actively introducing new all-electric buses into its fleets, specifically in the Harrogate Bus Company and Keighley Bus Company. These state-of-the-art battery-powered vehicles have not only modernised key local routes but also greatly enhanced the overall experience for passengers. More importantly, they have contributed to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, saving thousands of tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.

By the end of June 2026, Transdev will have completed an incredible 5 million electric kilometres of sustainable transport. To put this achievement into perspective, this distance is equivalent to circling the Earth approximately 124 times! Out of these 5 million kilometres, over 4 million have been driven by Harrogate's electric bus fleet, which includes eCitaro and Alexander Dennis buses. The rest come from Keighley's fleet of Mercedes-Benz eCitaros.

Environmental Impact

The environmental benefits of this initiative are significant. For example, in Harrogate alone, more than 5,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions are being saved each year. This reduction is comparable to:

• The electricity needed to power 1,000 homes for one year

• Driving 13 million miles in an average petrol-powered car

• The annual carbon footprint of around 420 people

• Charging a smartphone over 330 million times

Additionally, the flagship service, The 36, contributes to approximately 2,000 tonnes of CO2 savings, even before any passengers board the buses.

Keighley’s fleet, consisting of 15 eCitaros, is also on track to save an estimated 1,430 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. This is equivalent to:

• The electricity needed to power almost 270 homes for one year

• Driving 3.5 million miles in an average petrol-powered car

• The annual carbon footprint of around 115 people

• Charging a smartphone over 88 million times

Renewable Energy Sources

Behind the scenes, the electricity used to charge the next-generation batteries for these buses is sourced from renewable energy. Specifically, it comes from wind farms located in Scotland, further enhancing the sustainability of the entire operation.

Comments from Management

Henri Rohard, Managing Director of Transdev Blazefield, expressed pride in reaching this milestone. He stated, “As one of the first bus operators in the North of England to invest in innovative, sustainable, all-electric travel, we are delighted to be hitting such an important milestone so close to World Environment Day. To capture the carbon equivalent of over 80,000 trees, enough to cover eight football pitches, is a fantastic achievement – particularly for our drivers and engineering colleagues whose dedicated work has helped make this happen.”

Additional Sustainable Initiatives

Transdev is not stopping at electric buses. The company is also implementing several other sustainable initiatives, including:

• Each new bus is equipped with dual recycling bins to encourage waste reduction.

• A renewed contract for supplying high-blend biodiesel for school buses.

• Printing leaflet timetables on carbon-offset paper.

• Recycling collected rainwater for their drive-through bus wash.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Transdev plans to continue its investment in electric vehicles. In 2024, the company began a significant investment, acquiring 39 battery-powered buses worth £21 million for the Harrogate Bus Company. The last of these buses entered service in January 2025. Additionally, 15 all-electric vehicles, valued at £6.6 million, were introduced to the Keighley fleet in November 2025.

Transdev operates over 500 buses from nine bases across the North of England, enabling more than 32 million journeys each year, thanks to the commitment of around 1,400 staff members. The wider Transdev group has a presence in 19 countries and employs over 105,000 people, transporting an average of 12.8 million customers daily.

As the push for greener transport continues, Transdev's commitment to electric buses shows how regional operators can lead the way in reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainability in public transport. With initiatives like these, Yorkshire is making strides towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.