Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood officially opened First Bus’s upgraded electric depot in Hengrove, Bristol, yesterday (3 June).
The £44 million project – supported by £6.5 million in Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) government funding – prepares the way for the arrival this summer of 74 new Yutong battery-electric buses supplied by Pelican.
Five large charging gantries have been installed at the south Bristol site to power the 67 U11DD battery-electric double-deckers and seven single-deckers, as well as local business fleets.
Mr Lightwood, referring to a further recent round of funding for battery-electric buses, says: “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.”
Following the launch in March of its electric depot in nearby Weston-super-Mare, which itself has been allocated 24 Yutongs, four of the five First Bus depots in the region will be electrified by the end of 2026, by when work at Weston Island in Bath and Lawrence Hill in Bristol is set to be complete.
Isabel McAllister, First Bus Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer, adds: “Today marks another significant milestone in our journey towards a zero-emission bus fleet. With over £300 million of our own investment – alongside government funding – and more than 1,000 zero-emission buses already serving communities across the UK, we are proud to be leading the move towards cleaner, greener public transport.
“The unveiling of our latest electrified depot at Hengrove in Bristol, made possible through strong public-private partnership with the Department for Transport and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, brings us one step closer to a fully electric fleet.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in sustainable travel as we strive to better connect communities, drive economic growth, and inspire the nation to love and use the bus.”
The ZEBRA funding, which was accompanied by a£37.4 million investment from the operator, was secured via the West of England Mayoral Authority.
New Mayor for the authority, Helen Godwin, says: “I promised to work with government to get our region moving. The first of over 250 brand-new, comfy, electric buses for our region are a great start in a new chapter for the West of England, as we work with local councils and bus operators to deliver the best for the West.
“£29 million secured from government and £120 million from First Bus has already electrified the Hengrove depot with new charging infrastructure, as well as the one in Weston-super-Mare. This landmark investment in our wider area will also see a fully electric fleet at Hengrove by next summer and will soon turbo-charge the depots in Bath and Lawrence Hill too.
“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.”
