First Bus has appointed Tom Donnelly as Operations Manager for York depot, where electric transition is in high gear

First Bus has appointed Tom Donnelly as Operations Manager for York depot. He leads of team of staff managers and supervisors supporting a crew of over 200 drivers and a fleet of more than 80 buses.

Tom Donnelly appointed Operations Manager for First Bus’ York depot

An order of 53 StreetDeck Electroliner double-deckers and the single-decker GB Kite Electroliner, with features including audio visual next stop technology, USB charging points and Wi-Fi connectivity, represent a total investment by First Bus of £13m supported with £10.2m funding secured by City of York Council from the Government’s Zebra scheme. The new buses can be seen on services 1, 4, 5 and 5A and are set to be introduced on the university routes this month.

Zero emission buses coming in York

These new vehicles extend the existing all-electric Metrodecker buses on the York Park & Ride and the mid-size Versa single-decker vehicles.

Tom Donnelly joins following two years in the same role at Aircoach, another First Bus business based in Ireland running airport services.

Tom Donnelly said: “It’s great to be back in York and I’ve joined at an exciting time in the transformation of First Bus and the future of transport in the city. More zero emission buses are gradually entering our fleet since the new-look York Electric vehicles began operating at the end of August and the total conversion of the depot with power charging infrastructure is progressing well.”