A MULTIMILLION-POUND investment in a fleet of 34 new buses has been announced by the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company.

The investment of more than £6 million is part of the company’s drive to exceed compliance with the newly launched city low emission zone.

The orders have been placed with manufacturers Wrights and Alexander Dennis.

The vehicles are among the first of the Euro 6 class of buses.

They boast technological improvements that will reduce exhaust emissions, increase efficiency, reduce the weight of the bus and offer an improved ride for passengers. They will also be built in British factories.

Twenty-four of the new vehicles will be the Wright Streetdeck doubledecker buses which shares a number of key features with London’s iconic New Routemaster.

They will replace the fleet which operate the Coaster group of services from Brighton, through Peacehaven, Newhaven, Seaford, the South Downs National Park and into Eastbourne.

New features include better airflow on both decks, upper deck tables, phone charging points and free Wi-Fi.

The vehicles will stand out with their striking new look and livery of aircraft blue and lime green which promotes their green credentials.

A further ten new ADL Enviro 200 single deck buses will also be placed in service on routes 270, 271 and 273 which are operated into Brighton along the London Road corridor past Patcham and Preston Park. They will be operated by sister company Metrobus.

These buses will feature advanced flywheel hybrid technology first developed by the Williams Formula 1 team which turns power generated when the vehicle is breaking into hybrid energy to assist the bus as it pulls away again.

Martin Harris, Brighton and Hove Buses managing director, said: “This investment totalling in excess of £6 million is a huge sign of the value we place in providing a high quality bus service to a growing market in our city.

“It has been made possible with no cost to the tax payer because we have the freedom to operate buses frequently where our passengers tell us they need to go.

“However, we will not be resting on our laurels as we continue to work with our local partners to improve services further and invest in technology and buses that will enable us to reduce emissions even further.”