UK, Bristol’s first electrified bus depot is open (and 74 e-buses are coming)

Bristol’s first electrified bus depot was opened yesterday, June 3rd, by a government minister and the West of England’ new mayor.

The £44 million project was unveiled at Hengrove by Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, Mayor Helen Godwin and First Bus’ Acting Managing Director Rob Pymm.

The depot in south Bristol has been transformed thanks to a £37.4 million investment from First Bus and £6.6million funding from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) project via the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

The funding will also see 74 new electric buses on the streets of Bristol this summer, transporting more than 230,000 passengers per week on seven key services across the city.

Bristol: a new electric bus depots, and vehicles coming

First Bus has committed towards a zero emissions fleet by 2035.

Just three months ago, First Bus unveiled the West of England’s first electrified depot in Weston-super-Mare following a £14.9 million investment, including 24 new electric buses.

Yesterday saw the official unveiling of five huge gantries, installed by N G Bailey, at the four-football pitch-sized site just off the A4174 in south Bristol, which will power the area’s 74 new electric buses – about two thirds of First Bus’ Hengrove fleet.

The new zero-emission buses boast modern interiors with USB charging points for each seat, a camera monitoring system instead of wing mirrors for added safety and a smoother, quieter and more reliable ride for customers, First Bus states.

In April, it was announced a further £90m was being invested in 160 extra zero-emission buses and the electrification of the UK’s only island bus depot in Bath, and Lawrence Hill in Bristol. The additional buses mean the Hengrove depot will be operating a fully electric fleet by next summer.

Rob Pymm, the Acting Managing Director for First Bus in the West of England, said: “Just weeks ago we were celebrating the opening of our first electrified depot and the arrival of our first electric buses, and now, today, we’re marking yet another major milestone. The opening of our first electrified depot in Bristol is not only a key moment on our journey to a fully electric fleet by 2035, but also demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with a smoother, quieter and cleaner bus network in the West of England. I’m proud of the pace our teams are working to bring this revolution in public transport to our region, and I’m looking forward to the next phase of electrification in Bath and at our other Bristol depot at Lawrence Hill.”

Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, said: “I promised to work with government to get our region moving. The first of over 250 brand-new, comfy, electric buses for our region are a great start in a new chapter for the West of England, as we work with local councils and bus operators to deliver the best for the West.  £29 million secured from government and £120 million from First Bus has already electrified the Hengrove depot with new charging infrastructure, as well as the one in Weston-super-Mare. This landmark investment in our wider area will also see a fully electric fleet at Hengrove by next summer and will soon turbo-charge the depots in Bath and Lawrence Hill too. These new zero-emission buses are a total game-changer for bus passengers across the West Country, with phone chargers at every seat. I was glad to welcome the Minister to our region to see them today, and discuss with him how we can further improve bus services in our region including through the new powers promised by the Bus Services Bill.”  

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “We’re bringing cleaner, quieter, and smoother bus journeys to Bristol and beyond – backed by £38 million in government funding and even more from private investment. Better buses help deliver our Plan for Change: creating green jobs, boosting the local economy, and building a more sustainable future. With our upcoming Bus Services Bill, passengers can expect more reliable services, stronger local control, and protection for vital routes.”