ELAINE C Smith helped launch Glasgow’s first fleet of all-electric community minibuses yesterday.

Fully funded by Scottish Power Energy Networks, the buses will be used by Community Transport Glasgow, which works in partnership with the city council, to help support vulnerable, disadvantaged and elderly people across the city to access vital appointments and community activities.

SP Energy Networks is directly funding five 100% electric minibuses and two fully electric people carriers; replacing ageing diesel vehicles that put the charity’s vital community work in jeopardy as they had become increasingly unreliable.

Three new buses were unveiled yesterday when the service’s first users visited the Botanic Garden and had afternoon tea Smith in the Kibble Palace glasshouse.

Frank Mitchell, CEO at SP Energy Networks, said: “Decarbonising Glasgow requires everyone to think and act differently – we’re playing our part by supporting innovative solutions.”

Smith is pictured with Mitchell, left, and Community Transport Glasgow manager Graham Dunn.