Millions invested into making Scotland’s coach travel zero-emission

A family-run coach firm is to form part of the vanguard making coach travel in Scotland zero emission.

Maynes Coaches, based at March Road Industrial Estate, Buckie, have become part of an eight-strong strong group charged with delivering 252 new zero-emission buses and coaches to the country’s roads.

The move, which also includes the creation of a Scotland-wide charging network for use by all buses, coaches and HGVs, is part of a £41.7 million investment by the Scottish Government.

It will complete the second and final round of subsidy from the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB 2) which brings together businesses from across the bus, energy and financial sectors.

Leading the project is electric vehicle fleet specialist Zenobē and in addition to Maynes Coaches, they will be joined by: Ember; NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; Premier Coaches; McGills Buses; Stagecoach; Hairy Haggis Tours and D&E Coaches.

Maynes Coaches operations director, Kevin Mayne said: “Phase 2 of ScotZEB, via the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland was designed to provide capital funding to forward-thinking companies within the bus and coach market and help make zero-emission vehicles the default choice for all operators of tourist and private-hire coaches.

“The Scottish Government is supporting bus and coach operators, manufacturers, local authorities, financiers and the energy sector to make the market for zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure, commercially self-sustaining. This means that operators can run and operate on its own without further funding from the government.

“Maynes Coaches was one of the instigating company’s to bring coach to the funding process.

“During the funding stream process Maynes worked closely with Bluemarbl to create a document to see if the case study and viability will work for our company. After successfully lodging the study, this gave Maynes a future lead position into becoming one of the first operators developing zero emission coach fleets in Scotland.

“The development of the consortium with Zenobē is driven by small and large bus and coach operators from across Scotland, again, with Maynes being one of the first and leading operators in the creation of the consortium.

“We look forward to working closely with Zenobē and Transport Scotland in the years ahead.”

Mr Mayne went on to say that the firm’s fleet was leading the way in terms of low carbon emissions.

He said: “At Maynes Coaches we are actively working to reduce our carbon emissions throughout our entire fleet.

“One of the ways in which we manage to do this is by keeping as energy efficient as possible by subjecting our fleet to regular maintenance from our in-house engineers to ensure potential faults are eliminated. Keeping the vehicles well-maintained also increases fuel consumption efficiency.

“Our fleet already have one of the lowest levels of carbon emissions within the UK industry, we understand the importance of reducing our carbon footprint.”

Mr Mayne explained his firm is also a member of ‘Green Tourism’ and Eco Stars, and is continually working with its partners to ensure that its fleet is as eco-efficient as possible.

Praising the Scottish Government for taking a “world leader” role in helping the coaching industry face the future, he continued: “With this in mind, we have had one of the world’s first NetZero fully electric coach types with us on demo in 2023, the coach was given to us to try out here in Moray, as we looked build our company towards the zero emission future.

“With our land acquisition at our Buckie depot, and expansion work afoot , the development and depot will be then be purposely planned out for us to use next-generation ultra low emission and NetZero fleets, we also have been worked closely on plans for Hydrogen Coach.

“Maynes plans are extensive and futuristic, with the new development of the yard expansion giving way to more space for the charging and powering network, whilst also giving space for 10 charging points at our Buckie depot, solar power harvesting and internal changing and storage to assist in powering the company forward.

“We also have planned double charging facilities in our Elgin and Orkney depots for the fleet additions going forward. The expansion also gives secure parking for 20 coaches and more than 25 cars with space for future Hydrogen development in the years ahead.”

The news was welcomed by local MSP Karen Adam.

She said: “I am delighted to see this substantial investment in our vital bus services.

“Our communities deserve to be served by a modern, comfortable, and environmentally friendly service.

“I am delighted that Maynes Coaches from my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast are part of this exciting and innovative project. They have proven to be industry leaders in innovation and excellence over many years, and I thank all at Maynes Coaches for their industry leadership.”

Maynes Coaches started this year in style when they became the first privately owned coach operator in Scotland to achieve the prestigious Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Earned Recognition accreditation.

They joined an elite club of around 18 private coach operators across the UK to gain the award, which is designed to recognise firms which have demonstrated a consistent track record of compliance with road safety standards and regulations. The Earned Recognition accreditation strictly accepts only the very best of transport operators which work to exemplary standards.

For more information about Maynes Coaches, visit their website.

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