A fleet of new biodiesel buses is being rolled out across Thanet.

Stagecoach South East is spending £4 million on 24 vehicles for the Loop route around the Isle and will be introduced on services next month.

The buses are cleaner and greener than their predecessors using the latest Euro 6 engines which meet government standards for low carbon emissions and the new London Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Passengers will have access to wi-fi and USB charging points with the buses also being more spacious and comfortable than the current crop of vehicles used between Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Westwood and Margate.

The buses, which are all built in the UK, are also fitted with next stop audio visual announcements to make it easier for people to know which stop they are approaching and helping passengers new to Thanet or visitors.

Joel Mitchell, managing director at Stagecoach South East, said “This is a huge investment in the community – providing higher standards of mobility and helping to improve air quality for Thanet.

"We want to support a low carbon future and give commuters, shoppers, families and students, a fantastic travelling experience."

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay said “Bus services are essential for enabling people to get to work, school, access healthcare or simply visit friends or go shopping. As the local MP I am

committed to supporting our bus services in Thanet and very much welcome the news that £4 million has been invested by Stagecoach in 24 British-built single deck buses to operate on the Thanet Loop, a service that I regularly use."

The single-decker buses will go on tour around Thanet next week before they enter service in early July.

One will be at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre on Tuesday, June 25 and on Wednesday, June 26 at Ramsgate Harbour in the morning and at Margate’s Cecil Square during the afternoon.

The Loop service carried around four million passengers in 2018 and operate every eight minutes Mondays to Saturdays and every 10 minutes on Sundays.

Earlier this year, Stagecoach and Kent County Council announced it would slashing routes around the district after a cut in funding for bus services.

For more details about Thanet bus routes visit the Stagecoach website.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet

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