Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, has partnered with leading bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis (ADL), to become a Provider to COP26, supplying a fleet of new electric double-decker buses to transport the world leaders and their entourages attending the conference in Glasgow.

Dignitaries including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, UN Secretary General António Guterres and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, were transported in the buses to a reception event during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference currently taking place in Glasgow.

Ten of Stagecoach’s brand new iconic red London double-decker buses, which came straight from ADL’s nearby production line in Falkirk, were used to provide the service for a group of several hundred key COP26 VIPs including world leaders.

Following COP26, the buses will travel from Scotland to London, where they will deliver passenger services for Stagecoach on behalf of Transport for London (TfL).

Stagecoach will this year be introducing 46 new fully electric buses in key transport networks across Scotland in Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Perth as part of the Government’s Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme.

During the summer, it launched six new electric buses serving rural communities across the west of Scotland in partnership with SP Energy Networks. Stagecoach has also made one of the biggest single investments in electric vehicles in Europe with its double-decker fleet in Manchester.

Stagecoach is targeting a zero emissions UK bus fleet by 2035 as part of a commitment to become net zero by 2050. It has joined the United Nations-backed Race to Zero initiative and is committed to playing its part in keeping global warming to 1.5°C in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive for Stagecoach, said: “We are proud to be playing an important part in COP26 and we are delighted world leaders have chosen greener bus travel, which is central to meeting global climate ambitions. Stagecoach is investing hundreds of millions of pounds in new clean electric and other zero emissions buses, but one of the biggest positive changes people can make individually in addressing the climate emergency is by switching from cars to more sustainable public transport, cycling and walking."

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, said: “COP26 is focused on finding solutions to the climate emergency and we are proud to be able to demonstrate a zero emission solution that is available right now. Clean electric buses such as the ones we’re building for Stagecoach are key to reducing transport emissions around the globe and encouraging modal shift to sustainable transport modes.”

Louise Cheeseman, TfL’s Director or Buses, said: “Our investment in clean buses has delivered more than 550 zero-emission buses in London and is helping drive forward the agenda for greener buses and create green jobs across the rest of the UK. As those at COP26 will see, these zero-emission buses are efficient and comfortable as well as being environmentally friendly, and will play a part in making our whole fleet of 9,000 buses carbon-free.”

Stagecoach also joined forces with energy industry leader and COP26 Principal Partner, SSE, and SWARCO Smart Charging to take part in the COP26 Road to Renewables 11-day nationwide tour. On Monday 25 October, Stagecoach welcomed the COP26-branded fully electric bus to its Sharston depot in Manchester, home of the region’s first electric double-decker bus fleet.

As part of its new sustainability strategy, Stagecoach has committed to target a fully zero-emission UK bus fleet by 2035.