Hinckleybus and HORIBA MIRA Partner to Launch Sustainable Bus Service
HORIBA MIRA and Hinckleybus, part of Arriva Midlands, have launched a new service that will allow HORIBA MIRA visitors and employees to travel from Nuneaton and Hinckley town centres to MIRA Technology Park, the 1.75 million sq ft Enterprise Zone in the Midlands.
The new service was officially launched by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Andrew Jones MP, and is the next step in developing key infrastructure and transport for MIRA Technology Park’s planned expansion.
Andrew Jones MP comments:
“Buses like this show how green technology can help create a healthy environment for everyone to enjoy. This government is committed to lowering emissions from public transport, retrofitting more than 1650 vehicles so far, improving journeys and supporting growth.”
The buses will contribute to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s and MIRA’s sustainability aims as the Enviro2000 service’s vehicles will have low-emission engines to European EEV standard, helping reduce CO2 emissions by 50% for every individual travelling by bus.
Steve Smith, Area Manager at Arriva Midlands comments:
“Between them the buses will drive the equivalent of 366 laps of the HORIBA MIRA high-speed test track every day. In a year, this adds up to 12 times around the world, or from MIRA Technology Park to the moon – and a third of the way back again.
“The bus service will be regular and seamless as we have partnered with CrossCountry Trains to enable easy ticketing. We’re looking forward to seeing the first group of people travel to MIRA Technology Park via the bus service and we anticipate that it will become a popular choice of transport for those heading to the park.”
Bill Cullen, Deputy Chief Executive at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said:
“The Borough Council has been pleased to have been leading the delivery of the £17m RGF programme, which has delivered significant improvements to the road infrastructure around MIRA Technology Park and helped deliver these new state of the art bus services. This will improve the connectivity of surrounding town including Hinckley, Nuneaton and Atherstone to the Enterprise Zone and provide better opportunities for our residents to access job opportunities locally.”
The service boasts at seat charging points for mobile devices, free Wi-Fi along with e-leather luxury seating and a great range of value for money saving tickets.
The service officially began on Monday, July 20, though was officially launched at MIRA Technology Park today.
Partly funded by the Regional Growth Fund and in partnership with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, the bus service will help increase the number of employees travelling via public transport to their place of work at MIRA Technology Park which will help reduce carbon emissions in the local area.
The service will also enable those without personal vehicles to easily access MIRA Technology Park and its facilities as well as increase the catchment area for employees, as the buses will have stop off points at the Nuneaton and Hinckley Train Stations every 30 minutes throughout the day (hourly off peak to Hinckley). The bus will also connect MIRA Technology Park with Atherstone and Tamworth every hour throughout the day.
MIRA Technology Park Commercial Director, Terry Spall, comments:
” “This initiative further cements the Midlands as the centre of, and a driver for, the UK engineering industry. Already home to several international engineering firms, MIRA Technology Park will have greater transport links, making it an ideal location for companies looking to build a future at the UK’s engineering hub.”
