BIG TOURS LAUNCHES FIRST OPEN TOP, ZERO EMISSION ON THE STREETS OF

PARIS 12 DECEMBER 2017: today launched the very first open top, zero emission electric bus onto the streets of Paris with the introduction of its’ first new-build bus, following substantial investment in environmentally focused research and development.

Fittingly, the launch comes on the day of the inaugural ‘One Planet Summit’ when President Macron will meet with International leaders in Paris to discuss what concrete action can be taken two years on from the historic Paris Agreement.

Taking to the roads today, the bus was launched in front of the Eiffel Tower in the company of Jean-François Martins, Deputy Mayor responsible for and Sport and Christophe Najdovski, Deputy Mayor responsible for . The 100% electric bus will operate in Paris, as part of a global initiative to produce a cleaner, greener sightseeing transport experience for visitors, as they enjoy the city sights.

The new vehicle follows substantial research and development investment by Big Bus Tours into improving air quality in the cities they operate in. The company’s global research commenced 2 years ago with the launch of retro-fitted Dennis Condors in Washington DC.

The new electric bus is the first purpose built electric vehicle by Big Bus Tours. Rather than retrofitting former diesel vehicles, this brand new electric bus was commissioned from their long term partner Ankai Automotive.

Big Bus Tours will monitor the operation of the new bus in Paris and use the findings to produce its future purchasing strategy, considering the part electric vehicles will play in this, alongside other more traditional and other new energy alternatives.

Laurent Mahassen General Manager of Big Bus Tours Paris said, “We are delighted to be the first company to introduce a fully electric, open top sightseeing bus onto the streets of Paris. This is the next step in our global plans to evaluate the opportunities to positively contribute to the environmental goals of the cities in which we operate. Paris is committed to making improvements to the quality of its air and we’re excited to be leading the way in the hop on, hop off sector.”

Alex Payne CEO of Big Bus Tours said, “As an environmentally responsible company the introduction of the electric bus is another milestone to celebrate in what has already been a successful year of positive improvements in our global bus fleet. As the world’s leading owner-operator of hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours, we want help to solve the air quality challenge facing big cities, and we are keen to lead the way in improving air quality in the sightseeing field. As a result, I’m thrilled to launch Paris’ first 100% electric Hop-on Hop- Off Sightseeing bus today, which has been a product of an extensive period of testing and learning with our electric retrofitted in the US. Our vision is to be the number one thing to do in every world-famous city, and the quality and specifications of vehicles is an important part of that goal. We are looking forward to the next generation of vehicle development, and giving our customers another reason to choose us as their preferred provider”

For more information visit www.bigbustours.com

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

Big Bus Tours is the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours, fuelling the spirit of adventure in 19 world-famous cities across four continents. Beginning its journey 25 years’ ago, with a fleet of only three buses, Big Bus Tours has swiftly expanded to a global fleet of over 400 open-top buses, turning 5 million tourists into explorers, every year. Big Bus Tours operates in , , , New York, , , , , , , , , Paris, , San Francisco, Darwin, , and Washington DC, with a sightseeing concept designed to provide a flexible approach to city discovery. Each open-top bus tour provides a hop-on, hop-off facility at a variety of interesting locations, with complimentary additions to enhance the visitor sightseeing experience. In February 2015, private equity firm Exponent purchased Big Bus Tours, with a shared vision to make Big Bus Tours the number 1 thing to do in each world-famous city. In 2016, PLC became a shareholder, offering a natural synergy with Big Bus Tours and Merlin attractions and experiences around the world. With entertaining guides and commentary and knowledge of the latest events in each city, the Big Bus City Crew leaves every passenger with a story to tell. A perfect city companion, The Big Bus Tours app includes tour highlights, city guides and map and real-time bus tracking, downloadable at www.bigbustours.com/app .For more information join log onto the Big Bus Tours website www.bigbustours.com.

Media information:

Contact: Hazel McGuire

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