The depot, located in Weston-super-Mare, has been transformed thanks to a £14.9 million investment from First Bus and the government’s Zero Emissions Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) project via North Somerset Council.
It will welcome 24 new electric buses - more than a third of First Bus’ Weston bus fleet - and around 20,000 passengers weekly on two key services in North Somerset: the X1 (Weston to Bristol) and X4 (Portishead to Bristol).
Three huge gantries installed by Magnus Construction Group were unveiled at the two-football pitch-sized site just off the A370 on the edge of the town, which will power the new electric buses.
The new 78-seater double-deckers feature 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 passengers.
Plans were also unveil to revamp up to 120 bus shelter 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 a new educational programme will be launched in the coming weeks, 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.
Youngsters will also have the opportunity to adopt and design local bus shelters, and as part of First Bus' partnership with Gromit Unleashed 3, school children are being asked to think about the future and design a futuristic Norbot from Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.
Doug Claringbold, the Managing Director for First Bus in the West of England, said: “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.
“Seeing our depot and buses unveiled today has been a really proud moment for me and our teams in Weston-super-Mare and across First Bus, who have worked so hard with contractors and our local authority partners to secure this project and bring it to the West of England.
“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.”
Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, which secured government funding for the project, said: “This is a landmark moment for North Somerset and a huge step forward in our journey towards a greener future. Investing in zero-emission buses and improving our transport infrastructure will not only reduce carbon emissions but also improve the experience for passengers.
“A key part of this scheme is inspiring the next generation to choose to use the bus as a convenient, reliable, and sustainable way to travel.
“By engaging children through school visits and creative initiatives, we are working to build long-term habits that help to reduce congestion, improve air quality and support our communities to retain local services.
“By working in partnership with First Bus, we are proud to be leading the way in the West of England to bring this environment-friendly investment to North Somerset.”
Bristol will unveil its first electrified depot at Hengrove this summer, which will power 74 buses entering in the Bristol network.
The depot will feature five power gantries installed by NG Bailey and is expected to be completed by early May.
Scroll through for pictures of the unveiling of the region’s first electrified bus depot at Weston-super-Mare.
1. One of the new electric buses in Weston-super-Mare
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2. A new electric bus on the seafront at Weston-super-Mare
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3. Tour of the new electrified depot in Weston-super-Mare
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4. Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First Bus in the West of England
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