Bermuda’s electric bus fleet was further bolstered this week with ten new vehicles driven out of the Hamilton docks.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, said the arrival of the new vehicles marked another step in the electrification of the island’s public transport system.

He said: “The arrival of these buses is another important milestone in our commitment to a modern, reliable and sustainable public transportation system.

“We remain focused on achieving 100 per cent fleet electrification by 2030, while ensuring that the travelling public benefits from improved service and reliability.”

The Department of Public Transportation placed its first order for electric buses from the Golden Dragon Bus Company in 2022, with another 40 ordered in 2023.

The ten new buses represent the first of 20 ordered this year, with the remaining ten buses expected to arrive on the island next week.

A DPT spokeswoman said: “Once all 20 buses have arrived, the electric fleet will total 90 buses.

“The final 20 buses will be ordered later this year and are expected to enter service in early 2027, completing the electrification project with a total fleet of 110 buses.

“Once the final buses are commissioned, DPT will retire older diesel buses that have reached the end of their service life.”

The spokeswoman added that the new buses will help to improve service reliability and capacity while simultaneously reducing operating costs and supporting the Government’s goal of a cleaner, fully electrified bus fleet.