First Bus has completed its £750,000 worth of workshop improvements at its depot in Rochdale.
The investment programme includes a new double-height workshop bay, plus a new building containing two pits for single-decker buses and an external bay with lifting gear.
Brake-testing equipment is among the new diagnostics tools available.
The depot, which took on Bee Betwork services in March, transferred to First Bus from Transdev as part of the franchising process.
Aaron Taylor, Engineering Manager, says: “This allows us to take a proactive approach to planned maintenance and fleet improvement.
“The new facilities will also enable us to introduce new preventive maintenance processes to provide the best possible service to our customers and the community.
“This significant investment provides a springboard for our people to strive to be the best and achieve performance targets for the depot.”
The investment of the depot has involved the creation of around 50 jobs and two more apprentices will soon be joining the engineering team.
The operator runs more than 30 routes from Rochdale, plus six school services and the depot houses 65 buses, with capacity to expand this to 90.
General Manager Paul Townley says: “This new depot is creating high-skilled, well paid jobs locally and regionally and, as we continue to invest in the Rochdale area, First Bus is determined to help build the economy and link key communities as we support the Bee Network.”
