Yarm School Artwork Wins TVCA Competition to feature on Stagecoach’s New Electric Bus Fleet

A vibrant new fleet of electric buses has hit the roads across Tees Valley featuring artwork created by local school pupils under the age of 11.

Out of 620 pupils who entered, only 62 were selected as winners, including 10 from Yarm School.

These winning pupils, chosen through a prestigious competition run by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), have now earned the opportunity to have their artwork featured on the region’s new fleet of electric buses.

One of the new electric Stagecoach buses rolled into Yarm School on Monday morning (28 April).

The competition saw young artists submit zebra-inspired designs to tie into the UK Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme.

They also offered up creative names for each of the new buses.

It aims to ensure pupils’ creative contributions are seen by thousands of passengers across the region.

Alongside having their names displayed on the buses, the winners have received a special prize package, including a month of free bus travel, a goodie bag, and a framed picture of their winning artwork.

Yarm School Headmaster, Dr Huw Williams, added: “Our Eco Club and Year 3 pupils had so much fun taking part in this fantastic initiative, and we are proud of the impact their work will have. Their artwork will raise a smile and brighten people’s day right across the region while also promoting the importance of sustainable transport. It is wonderful to see their creativity recognised in such a public and meaningful way.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s been a tough job to sift through all the brilliant entries we received, but it was really heartening to receive so many from our talented young artists from Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“We want as many people as possible to get better access to schools, jobs and opportunities across our region – and it’s great we’ve been able to work with Stagecoach to fund these greener buses on our roads.

“Competitions like this are great to get our young people involved in what we’re doing on our network, to hear their voices to help shape what we need in future, and to allow them to make their mark.

“I’d like to thank Stagecoach, our brilliant schools and all our young students for helping make this a reality – and I can’t wait everyone to see these names and drawings on our roads!”

Stagecoach’s Stockton site is set to become the largest fully electric bus depot in the North East.

The new buses are being delivered as part of a significant investment in sustainable transport, following £7.8million of funding awarded to TVCA and bus operators through the ZEBRA scheme.

Stagecoach rolled out the first of 40 single decker Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) from its Stockton depot earlier this year.

And the company is building on this funding to fully electrify its Stockton depot – making it the first fully electric depot in the North East.

Steve Walker, MD of Stagecoach North East, said: “We were delighted to work with the TVCA on the zebra competition, encouraging engagement with the local community and the children in the area.

“There were some fantastic entries and we can’t wait for customers to see them on the buses, pride of place next to the entrance doors.

The buses we have invested into for the Stockton depot, with the help of Zebra funding through TVCA, will allow us to deliver a fully electrified depot and network in the Tees Valley area this spring.