First invests £12.7m in electric Wrightbuses and repowers
First Bus is set to invest £12.7m into buses for use in Aberdeen.
The money is to be used to buy 24 Wrightbus double-deckers and to convert 12 diesel buses to electric power. The investment is part of the over £100m spend announced by First Bus across the UK for 2024/25. The new and repowered vehicles are set to join the Aberdeen fleet from the beginning of 2025. Upon their arrival, the addition of the new buses will make the proportion of zero-emission vehicles in First Bus’s Aberdeen fleet one of the highest in the UK.
First Bus has partnered with Robert Gordon University to announce the investment, recognising that the university’s students will be the primary beneficiaries of the new buses. The new vehicles will be deployed on Aberdeen routes 1 and 2.
“This £12.7m investment in new electric buses is a game-changer for Aberdeen” – Duncan Cameron, Managing Director at First Bus Scotland
Duncan Cameron, Managing Director at First Bus Scotland, said: “This £12.7m investment in new electric buses is a game-changer for Aberdeen. It not only aligns with our green ambitions but also underscores our commitment to providing more sustainable and comfortable transportation options for the city.
“It was a pleasure to meet with students from Robert Gordon University to discuss the impact the new buses will have on the university and hear firsthand their passion for sustainability. By significantly increasing the number of zero-emission buses in our fleet, we are taking bold steps to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions, making Aberdeen a cleaner and healthier place to live.”
This initiative is part of First Bus’s broader commitment to the principles and targets it set out during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2021.
“It is encouraging to partner with a like-minded local organisation who is also committed to reaching net zero emissions for the city” – Bill Sommerville, Director of Estates and Property Services, Robert Gordon University (RGU)
Bill Sommerville, Director of Estates and Property Services, Robert Gordon University (RGU), said: “RGU is pleased to be partnering with First Bus on the launch of their new EV buses that will both reduce commuting transport emissions in the city and provide our staff and students with a stress-free sustainable commute.
“We take great pride in our nature positive campus and actively encourage sustainable travel to improve our efforts in meeting our collective net zero targets. This includes not only encouraging the use of public transport for both commuting and business purposes but also encouraging the use of our own EV fleet where this is not possible.
“It is encouraging to partner with a like-minded local organisation who is also committed to reaching net zero emissions for the city and we are delighted that these new vehicles’ primary route will be to and from our Garthdee campus.”
“Public transport is at the forefront of the green revolution and these buses for Aberdeen will instantly remove harmful emissions from the city” – Jean-Marc Gales, CEO at WrightBus
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO at WrightBus, added: “Public transport is at the forefront of the green revolution and these buses for Aberdeen will instantly remove harmful emissions from the city.
“Our zero-emission buses have gained a global following, with exports to Asia, Australia and Europe, and this investment by First Bus demonstrates their continued commitment to sustainable transport solutions.”