22 Yutong U11DD buses enter Stagecoach South fleet for Surrey operations

Stagecoach South has introduced 22 Yutong U11DD electric double decker buses for operation across Blackwater Valley and Surrey.

The vehicles were presented during a launch event in Guildford, about 45 km southwest of central London, marking a further step in the operator’s fleet transition programme. The rollout is part of a partnership with Surrey County Council through the Surrey Greener Futures scheme, which supports the deployment of zero-emission public transport solutions in the region.

The UK is the largest electric bus market in Europe in terms of registrations, with registrations exceeding 2,500 units in 2025 (+62%). Earlier this year the UK Department for Transport has published a 10-year zero-emission bus order pipeline indicating up to 21,525 vehicles expected between 2026 and 2035.

Deployment across Surrey and Blackwater Valley network

The new electric double deckers are marketed in UK through the dealer Pelican and are scheduled to enter service in the coming months. Operations will initially focus on key corridors, including Service 1 connecting Aldershot, Farnborough, Frimley, Camberley and Old Dean, and Service 20 linking Aldershot and Guildford.

The introduction of the vehicles contributes to Stagecoach South’s ongoing fleet renewal activities, aligned with a target of achieving a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035. The procurement follows a competitive tender process, with evaluation criteria including operational reliability, lifecycle cost parameters, and compliance with UK regulatory framework, Stagecoach stresses in its press note.

Yutong U11DD for Stagecoach

The Yutong U11DD model, presented in mid-2023, is configured to accommodate up to 73 passengers. The layout includes two dedicated wheelchair spaces and low-floor access to support accessibility requirements.

Passenger-facing equipment includes USB and USB-C charging points at each seat, alongside onboard information systems designed for real-time service updates. The vehicles are designed for zero tailpipe emissions and are specified for full-day duty cycles within urban and interurban operations.

Marc Reddy, Managing Director of Stagecoach South, said: “These new electric buses represent a major step forward in delivering cleaner, quieter and more comfortable journeys for customers across Blackwater Valley and Surrey. They bring significant environmental benefits while also improving accessibility, comfort and overall customer experience. It was also a pleasure to welcome young bus enthusiast Dylan to the depot and share his enthusiasm for buses with our team.”