With the West’s first electrified bus depots operational, and brand-new electric buses already serving the region’s passengers, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority plans to further turbo-charge our bus network.
New funding for the West from the Department for Transport is set to secure even more green buses. The new zero-emission buses boast modern interiors with USB charging points for each seat, and a smoother, quieter and more reliable ride for customers. These new buses, like free bus travel for under-16s during the school summer holidays, will help get more people on board public transport across the West.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure at Bath and Lawrence Hill and another 160 zero emission buses can be delivered with this extra £19.8 million of public investment, reducing pollution and improving air quality.
In total, with further investment from First Bus in the West of England, around £150 million will have been invested in electric buses and charging infrastructure in the two years to March 2027 – with over 250 brand-new electric buses in operation by that time.
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said: “More money for transport in the West will help us get our region moving. This latest government funding is set to bring our total investment in green buses to £150 million – the majority from First Bus. Over 250 new electric buses by next summer would make a big difference for local passengers and for our planet.
“I’m pleased to see plans for more of these brand-new buses to go beyond North Somerset and Bristol and into Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Alongside offers like Kids Go Free over the summer holidays, these new buses will help encourage more people to use public transport.
“This is just the start of a new chapter for the West of England with another, unprecedented £752 million secured for transport improvements over the coming years – including for better buses. Working with councils and bus operators, we will deliver improvements to bus services across our region. There are challenges around the consistency and reliability of some services, which I know together we can solve.”
Doug Claringbold, managing director for First Bus in the West of England, said: “This major investment in zero-emission buses and electrified depots is a huge step forward for the West of England, putting our region at the forefront of the UK’s green transport revolution.
“With more than 250 electric buses set to be on the road by next summer and four of our five depots fully electrified, we’re not only cutting carbon emissions, we’re delivering cleaner air, quieter streets and a better experience for about three quarters of a million passengers who will travel on an electric bus each week from next year.
“Thanks to investment from First Bus and the government, within two years £150m would have been spent on electric buses in our region, helping us to reach our goal of a fully electric bus fleet by 2035.
“This is about much more than new vehicles – it’s about transforming how people move across the region, making public transport more sustainable, reliable and ready for the future.”