Works completed on latest multi-million pound bus depot upgrade
First Bus and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) have completed a further £11.2m investment in the operator’s Bramley depot, which makes half the fleet zero emission.
The last of an additional 22 double-decker electric buses (EV) have now entered service, increasing the total at the depot to 79.
This further investment builds on a transformation of the depot with power charging infrastructure and EVs unveiled earlier this year.
WYCA with support from First Bus secured £3.4m in a “variation request” from the Department for Transport (DfT) Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) fund to expand the depot electrification, combined with £7.8m from First Bus, revealed in May 2024.
This brings the total ZEBRA funding and First Bus investment at Bramley to more than £40m and has created the largest fleet of zero emission buses in West Yorkshire.
Deputy chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, Councillor Peter Carlill, said: “We have come a long way in the past couple of years on this, and I’m thrilled West Yorkshire can now boast dozens of electric buses being run from this depot.
“We look forward to continuing to work with operators to bring in electric buses serving the whole of West Yorkshire.
“This reflects our plans to create a better-connected and greener West Yorkshire, and these changes will help boost air quality, improve public transport and help us tackle the climate emergency.”
John Roxburgh, head of operations for First Bus in North & West Yorkshire, said: “This will play an important part in skilled green jobs for the future and supporting the wider community.
“It is yet more evidence of our continuing successful partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority in bringing major improvements to bus services, supporting a shared ambition for a net-zero transport system and reducing carbon emissions in the city.
“We’re seeing a positive reaction from customers to the electric buses and believe they will attract more people to consider bus travel by realising the real impact this has in reducing congestion and creating cleaner air and quieter streets.”
Armley ward councillor, Andy Parnham, added: “I am impressed by the First Bus leadership team’s determination to employ electric vehicles and modern technology as a means of improving passenger comfort, safety, and reliability to both existing customers and for new bus users.
“By working in partnership, we can make this fantastic electric bus fleet the go-to mode for vehicle journeys within Leeds and beyond.”
The fleet of 79 electric buses was manufactured by Wrightbus in Northern Ireland with features including audio visual next stop technology and USB charging points.
Each bus saves around 75 tonnes of CO2e a year, making a total reduction of almost 6,000 tonnes of carbon annually.
