Featured Post

First Bus Launches £14.7M Electric Fleet in Somerset

By on

The first of 25 brand-new electric buses have now entered service in Somerset, marking a major shift towards zero-emission public transport in the region. The buses are part of a £14.7 million project delivered by First Bus South in partnership with Somerset Council, with funding support from the Department for Transport’s ZEBRA 2 (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) scheme.

A modern purple and white double-decker electric bus is parked on a paved area near historic stone buildings and leafless trees. The bus displays the First Bus logo and its front licence plate reads YK25 OHO.
First Bus

This week saw the first vehicles begin operation from Taunton, with further deployments scheduled across Wellington, Burnham-on-Sea, Bridgwater and Minehead in the coming months. The fleet will comprise of 13 single-deckers and 12 double-deckers. When all vehicles are in service by summer, over 40% of First Bus’s Somerset fleet will be fully electric – a significant milestone, with the new buses expected to carry around 40,000 passengers per week.

The buses will run on a mix of town and inter-urban routes, including:

  • Route 1: Taunton – Pyrland & Priorswood (every 30 minutes)
  • Route 1E: Silk Mills Park & Ride – Musgrove Park Hospital – Taunton – Pyrland (hourly)
  • Route 4: Taunton – Wheatley Crescent & Lane Estate (hourly)
  • Route 6: South Road, Normandy Drive, Juniper Road & Wordsworth Drive (hourly)
  • Route 7: Taunton – Galmington (every 45 minutes)
  • Routes 21/21A: Taunton – Burnham-on-Sea via Bridgwater (every 35 minutes)
  • Routes 22/22A/X22/22C: Taunton – Rockwell Green, Wellington, Tonedale and Tiverton (up to every 15 minutes)
  • Routes 28/28A: Taunton – Minehead via Bishops Lydeard (every 40 minutes)

The buses will operate out of the newly electrified Hamilton Road depot in Taunton and the Minehead depot, both of which have been upgraded with new charging infrastructure. The EVs offer a full day’s range, capable of covering approximately 200 miles on a single charge, and can be recharged in around three hours.

Each double-decker represents an investment of around £400,000 and is fully air-conditioned. Practical features across the fleet include USB charging points, audio-visual next-stop announcements, improved low-floor accessibility and the replacement of traditional wing mirrors with digital camera systems for enhanced safety.

“A major step forward”

Simon Goff, Managing Director for First Bus South, said:

“The arrival of our first electric buses in Somerset marks a major step forward in delivering a cleaner, greener future for public transport in the region. For our passengers, these vehicles offer a smoother, quieter, and more comfortable journey, while significantly cutting emissions and improving air quality.”

He added:

“It's also a proud moment for our team, who’ve been instrumental in getting us to this point. This is just the beginning of a transformation that benefits both our communities and our colleagues.”

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, said:

“These initiatives remain a major part of supporting our drive to create a cleaner and more sustainable county. Our partnership with First Bus South is a key part of finding innovative solutions to deliver this change, and we thank them for their major investment in Somerset’s future.”

The investment is expected to deliver cleaner air, quieter streets, and improved travel experiences across the Somerset network, building momentum for decarbonised transport in rural and semi-urban areas.

For more information visit the First Bus UK website. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LCR to Secure Bus Depots in Major Franchising Move

By on
Image
Bus services across the Liverpool City Region are set for a major transformation, with plans for a fully publicly-run bus network moving forward at pace. The introduction of a franchised system will see services brought under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years, promising more frequent buses, better connections and improved infrastructure. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Franchising is Coming Sooner Than Planned You’ve probably heard about the move to bus franchising—where routes, fares and timetables will be planned by the public sector rather than private companies—but here’s what’s happening next. The first phase kicks off in St Helens and Wirral, with the new system up and running by September 2026. The whole region should be fully franchised by the end of 2027, a year ahead of schedule. Mayor Steve Rotheram, said: “Reliable, regular, and affordable buses are the backbone of a great public transport system. They connect people to work, education, and each ...
More

Mellor Unveils Next-Gen Strata Minibus

By on
Image
Say hello to the all-new Strata – Mellor’s latest showstopper in the small bus world. It’s smarter, more accessible and packed with fresh features to make every journey smoother, greener and comfier. And yes, it’s still built right here in the UK. Mellor Bus Since its debut in 2016, the original Strata has earned its stripes as a reliable workhorse – now it’s back with a vengeance, ready to shake up the sector all over again. If you thought small buses were all the same, think again. Accessibility, meet ambition First up: big wins for accessibility. The reworked rear saloon now has just one step up from the low-floor section (down from two), reducing trip hazards and making things safer for everyone onboard. Passengers also get an extra 100mm of headroom – that’s a whole lot less crouching and a lot more comfort. Mellor Bus The low-floor area’s been stretched by 266mm, making space for four extra seats. In fact, there’s now room for up to twelve seats in the low-floor area alone – p...
More

Grab a Mate, Ditch the Car & Breathe Easier in Harrogate

By on
Image
Harrogate’s going greener – and The Harrogate Bus Company wants you and your plus-one to be part of the journey. In a fresh push to get drivers out of their cars and onto its all-electric buses, the firm has launched a new two-for-one travel offer for Fridays. The goal? Cleaner air, quieter streets and a more chilled-out end to the working week.
More