A THREE-MONTH electric bus service trial for passengers travelling to and from Slough town centre is to be launched.

Slough Borough Council has announced a trial period, starting in the last week of October, for residents to use the electric buses for free on the experimental bus and cycle lanes along the A4.

The buses – which will operate Mondays to Saturdays – will produce no fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions and will help with the council’s efforts to improve air quality on the route and reduce noise.

The trial is in partnership with Iver based electric bus specialists BYD UK and Thames Valley Buses where the fully electric vehicles will offer a fast, reliable and environmentally friendly service, the council claims.

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The hourly loop service will start from Station Road, near Junction 7 of the M4, through the town centre, and onto the Sainsbury’s roundabout at the junction of Yew Tree and Uxbridge Road.

It will also incorporate St Andrew’s Way, Cippenham.

On board, the buses will have modern seating, air conditioning and USB ports for phone charging.

Councillor Rob Anderson (Labour: Britwell and Northborugh), cabinet member for transport and environmental services, said: “The experimental bus and cycle lane was introduced to help residents socially distance during the ongoing pandemic alongside making road space available for active and sustainable travel.

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“I am delighted we have provided the funding to now introduce a free, fast and environmentally friendly electric bus service which will operate daily along the length of the temporary lane.

“Residents often quote the price of public transport is one of the key blockers stopping them leaving the car at home and jumping on the bus. So, we have taken the blocker away with this trial.

“This free service will provide residents with a speedy, frequent service into central Slough and I look forward to seeing them on the buses.”