Ice creams all-round as new fully electric 99 buses hit the road

The University marked another milestone in its partnership with Stagecoach East Scotland when the bus operator launched its fully electric 99 service in St Andrews.

Over the last three years the University’s unique bus travel discount scheme with Stagecoach and Moffat & Williamson has saved students and staff over £2 million and significantly cut our carbon footprint. And this week another step was taken in our bid to make travel in North East Fife cleaner and greener with the launch of 16 fully electric buses on the busy St Andrews to Dundee route.

And to help celebrate having greener travel licked, representatives of the University and Stagecoach were joined by Ross Hazel from St Andrews’ family firm Jannetta’s Gelateria to mark the occasion with 99 ice creams!

The service runs up to every 10 minutes throughout the day, with end-to-end journeys taking just over 30 minutes. Passengers can travel from Leuchars to Dundee in just 25 minutes, and reach St Andrews in only 12 minutes, making it one of the most convenient and sustainable ways to connect across the area.

St Andrews strategic lead on sustainability, Professor Ineke De Moortel, said: “We are delighted to work with Stagecoach in supporting the introduction of fully electric buses on Service 99. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to sustainability, providing our university community with greener, more affordable transport while moving us closer to our net zero ambitions by 2035.”

David Frenz, Interim Managing Director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “This is another major milestone in our journey towards Net Zero and underlines our commitment to providing sustainable, high-quality modern transport for local communities.

“The new 99 electric buses mean greener, more comfortable journeys for everyone – from students and staff heading to campus, to local residents making their everyday trips. With the launch of these vehicles, we’re helping make travel in North East Fife and Dundee quieter, cleaner and easier for all.”

More information on the University’s 75 per cent off scheme for staff and students is available on the bus travel discount page on the website.