Transport for the North were delighted to visit First Bus’ York depot to discuss their ground-breaking transition to an all-electric operation.
After being picked up from the train station in their very-own electric bus, the team were driven to the depot to gain a fascinating insight into both the challenges in transitioning to an all-electric operation, as well as the opportunities it brings. We learnt that they run 86 EV buses from the depot every day!
Kirsten Keen, our Major Roads Senior Strategy and Planning Officer, was even lucky enough to be given the chance to get behind the wheel of one of their flagship electric buses.
TfN’s Head of Decarbonisation, Peter Cole, said “Our visit to First Bus’ all electric bus depot in York was a great opportunity to gain real world insights into the challenges that face operators in upgrading their depots, but at the same time, the clear (and clean!) operational advantages of running an all-electric depot.
“Both engineers and drivers working at the depot seemed to have a real enthusiasm for the transition, which was great to see. The depot is another great best practice example of the transport decarbonisation that we have in the North”.
“The visit allowed Transport for the North to put across the vital nature of decarbonised bus fleets as we look to Transform the North through the delivery of our Strategic Plan, and the work being led by First Bus in York is a real showcase of the momentum behind the transition to a more sustainable fleet.”
Craig Brown, Head of Engineering for First Bus in North & West Yorkshire, said: “Our depot has entered a new era and is leading a green transport revolution in York.
“The transformation away from diesel to a fully electric fleet has been managed supremely well by the team. Our learning in use and management of the charging infrastructure is developing all the time and enabling us to optimise route operations.”
