First of New Buses Added to City Fleet Arrive

LibertyBus has taken delivery of the first of 22 new buses as part of a programme to replace some of the oldest vehicles currently operating on Jersey’s roads.

The arrivals mark the start of a £5 million initial investment by the company, its first major spending commitment since securing a 10-year operating contract with the Government of Jersey in October 2024.

Manufactured by Turkish firm Otokar, the buses are expected to enter service early in the new year, according to LibertyBus.

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said introducing the new vehicles had required careful planning due to the island’s narrow road network.

“Bringing these buses into service reflects a great deal of hard work and determination to overcome the challenges Jersey presents,” he said. “I look forward to seeing them supporting public transport across the island.”

The vehicles are Otokar Vectio C models, 9.6 metres (31.5ft) in length, and are low-entry buses designed for accessibility. More than 5,000 Otokar buses are currently in operation across Europe.

LibertyBus said the design had been adapted from the standard European model to increase seating capacity and improve passenger comfort.

Kevin Hart, director of LibertyBus, said the new fleet would deliver environmental benefits. “These buses are expected to help reduce air pollution, noise levels and our overall carbon footprint, benefiting both residents and the wider environment,” he said.

Berkan Sağlam, Otokar’s head of international bus sales, said the project marked an important step for the manufacturer. He described the partnership with LibertyBus and the Government of Jersey as an opportunity for Otokar to establish a presence in the British Isles amid growing franchising of bus networks across the UK.