First West electrifies bus depot.
First West of England has embarked on two exciting multi-million-pound projects to electrify bus depots in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly transport system in the region.
The Weston-super-Mare depot is currently undergoing a transformation, with construction equipment arriving on site for a £14.9 million scheme. This project will see the area, equivalent in size to two football pitches, revamped to accommodate 24 new electric buses set to join the Weston network next year.
Meanwhile, in Bristol, a whopping £44 million is being invested in electrifying First West of England’s Hengrove depot. This initiative will be accompanied by the introduction of 74 electric buses operating on the streets of the city.
The electrification process at the Hengrove depot is scheduled to kick off at the end of next month. Construction teams from engineering specialist NG Bailey for Hengrove and Magnus Construction Group for Weston-super-Mare will work on the depots, with completion anticipated by March 2025. The electric buses are expected to roll out shortly after the completion of the projects.
These projects involve not only providing the depots with increased power but also the use of approximately 400 tonnes of steel across multiple gantries to facilitate the charging of the new electric buses.
Moreover, the electrification of the depots will create opportunities for local companies to charge their electric vehicles and will lead to the establishment of green employment and training opportunities. This could involve upskilling the existing engineering team and offering apprenticeship opportunities for local individuals.
The electrification programme is a collaborative effort between First West of England, the West of England Combined Authority, and North Somerset Council. Together, they secured nearly £9 million in government funding through the Zero Emissions Bus Regional Areas 2 (ZEBRA2) project.
Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First West of England, expressed his enthusiasm for the projects, stating, “This week marks a truly groundbreaking moment for the West of England, as we witness the dawn of a new electric, zero-emission era for bus travel in our region.”
He added, “These will be the first electric buses to join our fleet in the West of England, offering passengers a more comfortable, quieter, and smoother journey. Additionally, they will help us provide a more reliable service and, most importantly, contribute to a more environmentally-friendly mode of bus travel.”
Claringbold also highlighted First Bus’ commitment to achieving a zero-emissions fleet by 2035, emphasizing the company’s substantial investment of over £50 million in these electrification projects.
Carl Nicholson, Passenger Transport Service Manager at North Somerset Council, echoed Claringbold’s sentiments, stating, “The council eagerly anticipates the arrival of a modern fleet of electric buses in our region. This initiative builds upon the success of the Bus Service Improvement Plan and aligns with our ambitious goals to decarbonise transport, making bus travel a more appealing environmentally-friendly option for our residents.”
With these groundbreaking projects underway, the future of bus transport in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare is set to become greener, cleaner, and more sustainable than ever before.
Image courtesy of First Bus
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