One of the UK’s largest bus operators, First Bus, has inaugurated the region’s first electric bus depot in Weston-Super-Mare, backed by a €17.7 million (£14.9 million) investment. The initiative, supported by the national Zero Emissions Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) program, includes the introduction of 24 fully electric buses to serve North Somerset and Bristol.
The new fleet will operate on key routes, including the X1 (Weston to Bristol) and X4 (Portishead to Bristol), as well as several inner-city services in Bristol. With this addition, a third of First Bus’ fleet in Weston-Super-Mare will be electrified. The double-decker buses, which can accommodate 78 passengers, feature USB charging ports at every seat and a camera-based monitoring system replacing traditional wing mirrors.
Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First Bus West of England, highlighted the environmental and service benefits of the project. “Today is a major milestone in bringing smoother, quieter and more reliable bus journeys to our customers, and making sustainable transport even better for the environment, supporting our commitment to have a zero-emission fleet by 2035,” he said.
The charging infrastructure for the depot, developed on a site equivalent to two football pitches, was built by Magnus Construction Group. While specific details on chargers and capacity have not been disclosed, the site is expected to support First Bus’ growing electric fleet in the region.
See also: First Bus South Begins Electrification of Somerset Bus Depots for Electric Fleet Rollout
In a parallel sustainability effort, North Somerset Council has announced plans to upgrade up to 120 bus shelters with solar panels, ‘living roofs,’ and furniture made from recycled CDs. Meanwhile, First Bus South, which operates in southern Somerset, is progressing with electrification at its depots in Taunton and Minehead. In April 2024, the company also opened the UK’s first bus depot to offer public electric charging in Cornwall.