The New Year is bringing new buses for customers of Xplore Dundee. The city’s main bus operator has taken delivery of nine more low emission Emerald double deckers and they’re set to hit the road from the 12th of January.

The brand new vehicles, built in Falkirk by Alexander Dennis Ltd, will operate on Service 5 and the Outer Circle, which means customers right across the city will have the chance to board one of these top spec buses and experience more leg room, free Wifi, and USB charging.  

Although the nine new vehicles are almost identical in appearance to the 14 which arrived last year, there’s one significant difference – side cameras replace the traditional wing mirrors. Managing Director of Xplore Dundee Christine McGlasson said: “We’re trying out this new technology as they are extremely clear and have a night vision function. We hope they’ll be even safer and more reliable than mirrors, and I’m confident the drivers of the new buses will quickly get used to them.”

Xplore Dundee’s bus fleet is now 46% low emission, including 23 Emeralds, 17 retro-fitted double deckers and three Enviro 200 Euro VI single decks. The operator is working closely with Dundee City Council as plans progress to implement a Low Emission Zone in the city by the end of this year.  

Managing Director Christine McGlasson said: “I’m very proud to say that with the addition of these nine new buses, almost half of Xplore Dundee’s fleet is now low emission. All of our Emeralds are equipped with Euro VI engines, which are so clean they reduce emissions by 95% and are better for the environment than even a single car.   

“We have plans to continue phasing out the older stock, investing in new buses and retrofitting mid-life vehicles, so we hope that figure will increase to make at least 75% of our fleet low emission within the next couple of years. It’s all part of our contribution to improving air quality in Dundee and encouraging more people to leave the car at home and catch the bus instead.”