A successful bid in Transport Scotland’s Scottish Zero Emission Bus (ScotZEB) Challenge funding awards First Glasgow and First Aberdeen a combined £18.6 million, with First Bus committing a further £16.4 million. The investment will bring 50 new electric buses to First Bus’ Scotstoun depot, with the First Aberdeen zero-emission fleet being bolstered with an additional 24 electric vehicles.
This new committed investment will see First Glasgow adding to the 126 new electric buses that are currently being delivered to its Caledonia depot, taking the total number of First Bus electric vehicles operating in Glasgow city to 200, accounting for over 40 percent of the total buses operating out of the two First Glasgow city depots.
First Aberdeen will also welcome 24 brand new electric vehicles, bringing its fleet to 30 percent zero emission vehicles.
The approval of ScotZEB funding will also see major infrastructure developments across First Bus’ Scotstoun and Aberdeen depots with both set to receive significant investment in accelerating their electrification, helping to future-proof both depots as First Bus continues towards its commitment to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.
In 2020, First Bus also pledged not to purchase any new diesel buses after December 2022, going above and beyond current regulations.
“Today marks another major milestone in our sustainable travel roadmap with the approval of funding from the Scottish Government allowing us to expand our electric bus infrastructure across the country” said Duncan Cameron, Managing Director for First Bus Scotland. “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding and we are proud to be continuing our journey towards achieving a 100 percent zero emission fleet by 2035. Scotstoun will become the second of our depots in Glasgow to start its journey towards a zero-emission fleet, while Aberdeen will further enhance its growing number of zero-emission buses. Both depots will be future proofed for further investment in zero emissions vehicles as a result of the infrastructure work undertaken. This announcement will also see huge benefits for our customers as it allows First Bus to offer even greener and quieter bus travel to thousands of new customers across Greater Glasgow and Aberdeen.”
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