Work has begun to electrify First Bus’s depot in Oldham, with work due to be finished by next spring in time for the take-over by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network franchise.
First Bus has worked collaboratively with Transport for Greater Manchester on funding to prepare the site for the second phase of franchising on 24 March.
Stonewood Electrical contractors are installing chargers and infrastructure to charge 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV at the Wallshaw Street depot.
Mike Watson, Mobilisation Director for First Bus in Manchester, says: “We’re pleased to support Transport for Greater Manchester in preparing our Oldham depot for electrification as the Bee Network expands and new vehicle technologies are introduced into the fleet.
“First Bus has extensive experience in the transformation of depots to electric from our programme at sites across the UK.
“We are bringing this knowledge and expertise to Oldham to manage the conversion alongside the continued operation of the depot to serve local communities and the wider region of Greater Manchester.”
The work will continue the staged handover of the city’s services to the Bee Network, with Bolton and Wigan having been among the first areas to return to public control on 24 September.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, adds: “We’re delighted with the progress towards electrifying Oldham bus depot as we prepare for the next phase of bus franchising in Oldham, Rochdale, parts of Bury, Salford and North Manchester in March 2024.
“Major national and local investment in our city-region’s transport fleet has enabled more zero-emission buses across the Bee Network to replace older, more polluting diesel vehicles. A cleaner bus fleet is key to improving air quality in areas with the most polluted air.”
Heliox will supply 17 Flex 180 kW chargers, which will be capable of charging 51 vehicles simultaneously in two-and-a-half hours.
Paul Middlemiss, Senior Business Development Manager at Heliox, says: “I am immensely proud of our strategic partnership with First Bus. Together, we are reshaping the landscape of urban mobility, focused on sustainability and setting new standards for public transportation.”
Michael Doherty, Managing Director of Stonewood Electrical, adds: “We’re proud to be part of this project. It builds on our work with First Bus elsewhere in its mission to become a zero-emissions national bus fleet operator, providing cleaner air, green growth and improving public transport and health.”
