First Bus’s York depot is now verified net zero-emission and among the first in the country to achieve this milestone.
The depot has built on the progress of its fully electric commercial bus fleet by investing in the necessary additional carbon reduction requirements to claim net zero status.
Managing director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire Andrew Cullen said: “Today, we’re making history with our depot as we continue to lead in greener public transport.
“This major achievement is the result of great work by the local team and expertise from within the wider First Bus. It places the depot at the forefront of the First Bus mission to reach a zero emission UK bus fleet by 2035.”
The announcement was made at the official launch of the electrification of the depot, completed earlier this year in a £23m transformation achieved with £13m investment by First Bus and funding of £10.2m secured in partnership with City of York Council from the Department for Transport’s Zebra funding scheme.
First Bus has a total fleet of 86 all-electric buses operating at the depot.
Cllr Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said; “This new depot and the full electrification of the First Bus fleet is a major step towards the city’s climate ambitions, and supports the delivery of our new Local Transport Strategy.
“Together with City of York’s reduced fares for families and young people, plus installation of brand new, real-time display screens, travelling by bus really is a healthier, more convenient choice in York.”
Andrew Cullen added: “It is real evidence of our continuing successful partnership with City of York Council in bringing major improvements to bus services and supporting a shared ambition for a net-zero transport system and reducing carbon emissions in the city.”
Features which have helped the depot achieve its net zero emission status include solar panels on the roof of the engineering bay, which have been generating renewable power for over a year.