York to run one of the first fully-electric bus depots outside London
Further investment in York’s public transport will see the city running ‘one of first bus depots in the UK outside London to run fully electric fleets’.
The First Bus York James Street depot will be fully electrified by March 2024, thanks to more Department for Transport funding.
The department has awarded the council an additional £1.8m towards electrification of buses.
And First York has pledged to co-fund a further nine electric buses, to create the all-electric fleet.
Last March, York council won £8.4 million for 44 electric buses.
The local authorities successful in this initial bid were then offered the opportunity to apply for additional support from the DfT. Of those applicants – five local authorities have been successful, including York.
The funding will also be used to support the electrification of First’s James Street depot, including the installation of charging equipment and removal of the diesel refuelling station.
Cllr Paula Widdowson, executive member for the environment at City of York Council, said: “Securing this investment is excellent news for the city. Here in York, we have already gone to great lengths to promote sustainable travel, particularly on public transport.
“York already has bold targets for reducing carbon and taking steps to tackle climate change – and a fully electric fleet is a significant move forward and the removal of the fuel tanks from the First Depot will be a significant milestone and message for the city.”
Cllr Andy D’Agorne, executive member for transport, said the £1.8m “is fundamental to achieving the city’s carbon reduction goals while supporting the development strategy set out in the Local Plan.
“To encourage greater use of the bus network, and sustainable travel routes, our network and bus services must be safe, convenient and attractive to residents, commuters and visitors.”
Tom Bridge, operations director for First Bus in North & West Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to be able to accelerate investment in the electrification of our bus fleet and infrastructure, supported by co-funding from DfT. As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the Government and City of York Council’s ambitions for a net-zero carbon transport system.”