Oxford Bus Company (OBC) has unveiled a new Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner single-decker for its Bicester Village Station-Bicester North shuttle service.

The 38-seater will have a range of up to 200 miles per day on a single charge.

The service, which is jointly funded by Value Retail PLC and Chiltern Railways, runs 364 days per year, whenever the Bicester Village designer shopping destination is open. OBC recently won a three-year extension of the operating contract it has held since 2020.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, says: “It is fantastic to see our relationship with Bicester Village and Chiltern Railways go from strength to strength based on shared values and a commitment to providing joined-up, sustainable travel solutions.

“The investment in launching an electric vehicle into the shuttle service is another exciting step forward in the partnership for the greater benefit of visitors to Bicester Village and the wider community.”

Zach Bailey, Regional Growth Manager at Chiltern Railways, adds: “We’re delighted that the Oxford Bus Company will be operating a zero-emission electric bus connecting Bicester North and Bicester Village stations.

“This builds on the recent introduction of recycled vegetable oil to our fleet, which now fuels our locomotive hauled trains instead of diesel and is another step in the right direction as we look to decarbonise and modernise our operations. We are committed to improving integrated travel links between our stations and key destinations as leisure travel continues to grow across the network.”

The news follows launch of an £82.5 million project led by Oxfordshire County Council, OBC and Stagecoach to bring 159 electric buses to the city.