Buses of Somerset electrifying depots

Buses of Somerset is now electrifying its Taunton and Minehead depots, ready to operate 26 new electric buses from spring 2025.

Once complete, the electric-ready depots will enable a fleet of 26 double- and single-decker electric buses to run across Buses of Somerset’s routes. The electric buses will replace part of Buses of Somerset’s diesel fleet. Five routes are to have the vehicles operating on them.

The £14.7m project to bring electric buses to Somerset will be delivered in partnership with Somerset Council. Working together, an investment of £2.2m was secured for Somerset Council from the DfT’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding, alongside an investment of £12.5m from First Bus South, which operates Buses of Somerset.

(L to R) Simon Goff, First South Managing Director; Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council; Gary Weaver, First South Engineering Director, Linda Snelling, Somerset Bus Partnership; Pete McNaughton, Buses of Somerset Operations Manager; and Peter Travis, Somerset Bus Partnership

In support of the Taunton and Minehead projects, representatives from Somerset Council including Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead member for Transport and Waste Services, and Somerset Bus Partnership visited Taunton depot to mark the start of works. The group were able to meet the depot team and see plans for the transformation of the depot.

Simon Goff, First Bus South Managing Director, said: “Today is an important milestone as work starts to transform Taunton and Minehead depots into electric ready bases for our new EVs. We look forward to getting these state-of-the-art new buses on the road for customers by spring 2025.

“The 26 zero-emissions buses are fantastic news for passengers, bringing cleaner, greener vehicles to our routes, helping to improve air quality, and making bus travel even more sustainable. What’s more, the transformation of these depots will also bring smart new facilities for our staff at Taunton and Minehead.”