First Leicester depot gets ready to receive electrics

Work has started in transforming First Leicester’s depot ready to receive 68 new electric single-deckers from March.

An investment of £29.1m has been secured so far towards the project and this is made up from the first round of Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) government funding alongside capital investment from the operator.

The Leicester Bus EP Partnership’s objective to have half the overall bus network in Leicester to be electric by 2025 and fully by 2030 is on course.

(Standing L to R) Andy Gibbons, Transport Strategy and Programmes; Rob Hughes, Operations Director at First Leicester; Carl Woolley, Engineering Director at First Leicester; Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor and Isobel McAllister, First Bus Chief Sustainability & Compliance Officer; (kneeling L to R) Mario De Luca, Brooks Development; Mark Evans, Site Manager, Brookes Development; Adam Clarke, Deputy City Mayor – Environment and Transportation

In support of the construction work starting, the Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, Deputy Mayor Adam Clarke and Andy Gibbons (who has been pivotal in helping secure government funding on behalf of Leicester City Council for the project) and Isabel McAllister, First Bus Chief Sustainability & Compliance Officer, were all present at a launch held at First Leicester along with senior dignitaries representing the local business.

“There are exciting times ahead for public transport in Leicester and I am pleased that we are leading the way and part of the extremely important ‘Leicester Bus EP Partnership’ led by the City Mayor and Leicester City Council officers” – Rob Hughes, Operations Director at First Leicester

Rob Hughes, Operations Director at First Leicester, said; “This is an exciting project that is planned to not only improve the journey experience for our customers with the arrival of 68 brand new electric single deck buses, but it is a major transformation of our depot and its functions. We are working closely the construction team on site to minimise any disruption to our day-to-day requirements to operate efficiently, and are will are keeping all our staff up to date on the weekly progression of the project.

“There are exciting times ahead for public transport in Leicester and I am pleased that we are leading the way and part of the extremely important ‘Leicester Bus EP Partnership’ led by the City Mayor and Leicester City Council officers.”