Tees Valley youngsters set to design electric bus fleet

Youngsters in the Tees Valley region are being encouraged to unleash their creativity by naming and designing the new fleet of zero-emission electric buses set to hit the roads in 2025.

Stagecoach North East and the Tees Valley Combined Authority have launched a competition inviting those aged 11 and under to propose names and create zebra-themed designs for the 64-bus fleet.

Winning designs will be featured on the buses, offering young artists the chance to see their work showcased across the region. Winners will also receive free bus travel for a month, a goodie bag and a framed picture of their design.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. “We all know our children have the best ideas when it comes to choosing names and producing fantastic artwork, so we want them to take charge on this great, green zero-emission fleet of buses.

“We want our youngest residents to play a part in shaping our new fleet. By giving each bus a unique name and decorating them with students' artwork, we’re bringing a sense of local pride and creativity to our bus network.

“Not only is this a fun and engaging way to spark creativity, but it also fosters a connection to our local community. I encourage parents, teachers, and schools across the region to get involved and support their students in making their mark on the region’s transportation.”

The buses, arriving in February 2025, are part of a major sustainability initiative funded through the UK Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme. The Stockton depot will become the North East’s largest fully electric site.

Steve Walker, managing director of Stagecoach North East, added: “It’s an exciting time for the business, and the Tees Valley area, to receive such a large-scale investment in the bus infrastructure.

“Delivering a fully electric depot, with a fully electric fleet, will not only benefit the bus users of Stockton and the surrounding area, but the wider community.

“Linking the investment to the community was a must, and we all know that kids have the best ideas, so using the creativity of the young people in the area was a key place to start with our community engagement.”

Entries are due by December 15, 2024. Find out more about the competition and the terms and conditions here.

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