The North Yorkshire town’s leading bus operator, The Harrogate Bus Company, has unveiled its five year vision for public transport, bringing the latest low emissions technology alongside a host of improvements to every aspect of bus travel.

Innovations including fleet-wide free WiFi, USB power and next stop announcements are some of the items, successfully pioneered by the company’s flagship The 36: Riding Redefined service linking Harrogate with Leeds and Ripon, and will spread wider across the town’s buses.

There will also be smoother integration with other bus and rail services, stronger relationships with local authorities, key employers, schools, retailers, hotels and visitor attractions to encourage more people to switch to the bus.

Advanced ticketing systems including contactless payment and beacon touchless mobile apps, as well as a revolution in website and mobile customer communications, will complete the company’s five year vision for Harrogate.

Alex Hornby, CEO of The Harrogate Bus Company’s parent Transdev, said: “We have a five year vision to transform the bus experience in Harrogate. Our plans have the potential to grow usage by doing more of what customers and non-users tell us they want.

“Creating a low-emission bus town, involving the world-class development of new generation, 100% electric buses is just one element of our strategy, which also includes further innovations in ticketing and new standards in ride comfort including fleet-wide WiFi, USB charging and next stop information.

“We are also keen to enhance our role in the Borough by developing advanced relationships with councils, employers, schools, retailers and attractions, as well as improved integration with other transport providers by bus, rail and air.

“This vision is all about us enhancing our quality offer, that should reduce demand for the private car, meaning less congestion, improved freedom of movement and a better environment across Harrogate and beyond.”

At the launch of Transdev’s five year vision, a Volvo electric bus brought specially to Harrogate from Gothenburg in Sweden was on display to demonstrate its game changing new technology ahead of the launch of a new generation of similar vehicles in the North Yorkshire spa town next year.

Thanks to a £2.25 million winning bid for Government funding by parent company Transdev, the new buses – powered by ‘next negation’ opportunity charging technology – will revolutionise travel as Harrogate becomes the first town in the UK to use the system.