First’s Weston-super-Mare depot has now been transformed to electric power.

The West of England’s first electrified bus depot has been transformed with a £14.9m investment from First Bus and the government’s Zero Emissions Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) project via North Somerset Council.

Three gantries, installed by Magnus Construction Group, have been installed to power the area’s 24 new Yutong U11D 78-seater electric double-deckers, more than a third of First Bus’ Weston bus fleet.

It sees 24 new electric buses transport about 20,000 passengers per week on two key services in North Somerset; the X1 (Weston to Bristol) and X4 (Portishead to Bristol).

Overall, there are 98 new electric buses (91 double-deckers and seven single-deckers) ordered by First for the region, which are to operate on nine services across Bristol and North Somerset. They are part of a £59m investment in electrifying depots and the region’s buses.

“This is our biggest investment in the local area for decades” – Doug Claringbold, the Managing Director for First Bus in the West of England

Doug Claringbold, the Managing Director for First Bus in the West of England, said: “This is our biggest investment in the local area for decades, and what we have created here in Weston will help secure a cleaner solution for transport for future generations and help inspire the nation to love and use the bus.”

As the depot was revealed, North Somerset Council announced plans to revamp up to 120 bus shelters on key routes including stops with ‘living roofs’, solar panels and benches made from thousands of recycled CDs as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

And in the coming weeks, First Bus and North Somerset Council will launch a new educational programme, which will see an electric bus visit local schools, giving pupils the chance to explore the new buses, be taught the key skills on how to catch and travel on a bus, and learn more about travelling sustainably.

Bristol electrification upcoming

First Bus and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority will soon be unveiling its first electrified Bristol depot at Hengrove, which will power 74 buses entering the Bristol network this summer.

The £44 million investment, which includes £6.6 million of government funding secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, has seen the Hengrove depot transformed with five power gantries installed by NG Bailey. The Hengrove depot project is expected to be completed by early May.

Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, said: “I’ve been proud to invest in better buses for the West of England during my four years as Mayor. Funding secured by my Mayoral Combined Authority is helping power up the First Bus depot in Hengrove, and the 74 new electric buses that will use it from this summer.

“Through the enormous popularity of Birthday Buses and other initiatives, I’m glad thousands more people are using buses in the West. The first year of Birthday Buses cut 1,100 tonnes of carbon emissions through greener journeys, and the new electric buses and depot will only add to that impact.”

Electrifying both depots will also provide facilities for local companies to charge their electric vehicles.