100% electric public transport from Bristol to London? Only the bus will get you there

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. David Jenkins, interim managing director for the firm, said: “Newport Transport has been leading the way in bringing electric vehicles to our network of local bus services in south east Wales and into England and bringing this electric vehicle to the intercity coach market is the next big step.” For the initial run from central Bristol via the University of the West of England campus to Hammersmith and central London, 33 of the 46 seats were occupied. Passenger James Cheung, an aerospace engineering student from Bristol, said: “I think it’s brilliant – a great way to travel between Bristol and London. These services enable faster journeys to London Paddington with extra seats per day, as well as a reduced carbon footprint.” As the pioneering FlixBus electric service from Bristol made its way to London, the transport secretary Mark Harper announced further funding for 25 local councils to decarbonise their bus fleets. He said: “As part of our plan to improve local transport across the country, we’re providing a further £143 million to improve journeys for bus passengers particularly in rural areas, with almost 1,000 brand-new, zero-emission buses due to hit the road.” For more travel news, views and advice from Simon, download his daily Independent Travel podcast.