Oxford Bus Company has introduced an electric bus into its shuttle service to Bicester Village, which has a range of up to 200 miles per day on a single charge.
Manufactured by Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, the Electroliner GB Kite single-deck vehicle has 38 seats and includes a 454kwh battery pack.
The shuttle service has been operated by Oxford Bus Company since 2020 and connects Bicester Village Station and Bicester North Station to each other, as well as a direct connection to the village as part of the service.
Jointly funded by Value Retail and Chiltern Railways, it operates 364 days per year, whenever Bicester Village is open, to provide a sustainable mode of transport for visitors and staff.
Oxford Bus Company was recently awarded a further three-year contract to operate the shuttle service and the additional Park & Ride bus service, which serves Bicester Village on busier shopping days, until April 2027.
Earlier this year it was announced that Oxford will host the biggest fleet of electric buses in the UK, outside London.
The £82.5 million project will deliver 159 new battery-powered buses into service in Oxford and fund two associated electric charging hubs at the city’s bus depots.
Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said, “It is fantastic to see our relationship with Bicester Village and Chiltern Railways go from strength to strength based on shared values and a commitment to providing joined-up, sustainable travel solutions.
“The investment in launching an electric vehicle into the shuttle service is another exciting step forward in the partnership for the greater benefit of visitors to Bicester Village and the wider community.”
