Bristol’s first electrified bus depot has been opened by a government minister and the West of England’s new mayor.
The £44m project was unveiled at Hengrove by Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, Mayor Helen Godwin and First Bus’ Acting Managing Director Rob Pymm.
The depot in south Bristol has been transformed through a £37.4m investment from First Bus and £6.6m funding from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) project via the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The funding will also see 74 new electric buses in Bristol this summer, transporting more than 230,000 passengers per week on seven key services across the city.
With each bus saving about 75 tonnes of CO2 each year – the equivalent to taking 54 cars off the road – the move marks a milestone in the company’s commitment towards a zero emissions fleet by 2035.
It follows First Bus unveiling the West of England’s first electrified depot in Weston-super-Mare, following a £14.9m investment, including 24 new electric buses.
The Bristol unveiling saw the opening of five gantries, installed by N G Bailey, at the four-football pitch-sized site off the A4174, which will power the area’s 74 new electric buses – about two thirds of First Bus’ Hengrove fleet.
The new zero-emission buses also have USB charging points for each seat, a camera monitoring system instead of wing mirrors for added safety, and a smoother, quieter and more reliable ride for customers, the company said.
The additional buses mean the Hengrove depot will be operating a fully electric fleet by next summer.
Rob Pymm, the Acting Managing Director for First Bus in the West of England, said:
“Just weeks ago we were celebrating the opening of our first electrified depot and the arrival of our first electric buses, and now, today, we’re marking yet another major milestone.
“The opening of our first electrified depot in Bristol is not only a key moment on our journey to a fully electric fleet by 2035, but also demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with a smoother, quieter and cleaner bus network in the West of England.
“I’m proud of the pace our teams are working to bring this revolution in public transport to our region, and I’m looking forward to the next phase of electrification in Bath and at our other Bristol depot at Lawrence Hill.”
Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, said:
“These new zero-emission buses are a total game-changer for bus passengers across the West Country, with phone chargers at every seat.
“I was glad to welcome the Minister to our region to see them today, and discuss with him how we can further improve bus services in our region including through the new powers promised by the Bus Services Bill.”
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said:
“We’re bringing cleaner, quieter, and smoother bus journeys to Bristol and beyond – backed by £38 million in government funding and even more from private investment.
“Better buses help deliver our Plan for Change: creating green jobs, boosting the local economy, and building a more sustainable future.
“With our upcoming Bus Services Bill, passengers can expect more reliable services, stronger local control, and protection for vital routes.”
The news comes as Transport + Energy gears up for its first Fleet Electrification Forum, where First Bus will be speaking. For more on the event, click here.
Image courtesy of First Bus
