First plans ‘super depot’

First Bus plan to create what it describes as a ‘super depot’ in Portsmouth after it secured the purchase of the Daily Mail Group news centre.

The purchase of the new site, which is opposite the operator’s current Hilsea Depot, will see the development of a purpose-built electric bus depot within two years. The site is planned to have the capability to run an electrified bus fleet of up to 90 vehicles.

The new facility is the next step in the company’s mission 2035 pledge to operate a fully zero-emission fleet.

The construction of the new site will get underway in the next few months and will likely take around two to three years to complete.

“This will have a massive impact for the better on the daily working lives of our hard-working staff and we cannot wait to share the improvements with our customers as well” – First Bus South Managing Director, Simon Goff

First Bus South Managing Director, Simon Goff, said: “We are thrilled to have secured this new site and to share the good news with our customers and our colleagues. This will have a massive impact for the better on the daily working lives of our hard-working staff and we cannot wait to share the improvements with our customers as well.

“This represents a significant investment and future commitment to providing zero-emission bus services in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.”