SLOUGH’S first fully electric bus has launched for passengers travelling to and from the town centre – and it’s free.

From Monday (October 26), the silvery blue bus can be seen travelling using the experimental bus and cycle lane on the A4 Bath Road between Mercian Way, Cippenham, and the Uxbridge Road roundabout on an hourly basis.

The single-decker bus – which won’t produce fossil fuels and will have lower carbon emissions – will run Monday to Saturday and can be used for free until December.

Slough Borough Council partnered up with Thames Valley Buses and BYD UK, an electric bus manufacturing specialist based in Iver, to provide this additional, “sustainable” and “environmentally friendly” way to travel to the town centre.

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As part of the council’s plan to reduce congestion and pollution, the bus is set to contribute to cleaner air and reduced noise along the A4 more so than traditional bus services, the local authority said.

The electric bus also features tables, air conditioning, and USB ports for phone charging.

Councillor Rob Anderson (Labour: Britwell and Northborough), cabinet member for transport and environmental services, said: “We hope by funding the service people will hop on and off this bus for the duration of the trial for no cost and we will see if this is a service is viable for the future.

“It is an additional service which will help with capacity and help people socially distance. It will be free, fast and environmentally friendly.”

“This is the first electric bus to use the town’s bus lanes.”

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Robert Williams, chief executive officer of Thames Valley Buses, said: “It’s always been an aim of Thames Valley Buses and our sister company Reading Buses, to be part of the solution in helping to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

“During lockdown we all saw, and breathed in, the benefits of fewer cars on the road and we believe initiatives like this will only help to convince more people to reduce their car usage.”

The first bus of the day leaves Slough Bus Station at 7.55am and from Mercian Way at 8.22am.

The last bus of the day leaves Slough Bus Station at 5.55pm and from Mercian Way at 6.22pm.

The council has asked residents to wear masks on the service unless there is a reasonable excuse not to as part of the measures to mitigate coronavirus transmission.