A £5M fleet of hybrid electro-diesel buses is being launched on Oxford’s park-and-ride routes.

The Oxford Bus Company is replacing its existing park-and-ride fleet with 17 new 73-seat hybrid double-deckers.

They will go into service over the next few days. The company, which launched the country’s original park-and-ride service in the 1970s, said it will be the first park-and-ride service to be operated by electric hybrid buses.

“Low-carbon corridors” into the city are promised on the three park-and-ride routes: the 300 from Redbridge to Pear Tree and the 400 from Thornhill and Seacourt, both crossing the city centre, and the 500 from Water Eaton to the city.

The new fleet was launched by Rodney Rose, county council cabinet member for transport, and Colin Cook, Oxford City Council’s executive member for city development. The Government is giving £1.3m towards the fleet from its Green Bus Fund.

Philip Kirk, the bus company’s managing director said: “If people leave their cars on the edge of the city at one of the five park-and-ride car parks and travel in one of the new buses, they’re making a major contribution to the city’s environment.”