£150 million investment in better buses for the West

With the West’s first electrified bus depots operational, and brand-new electric buses already serving the region’s passengers, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority plans to further turbo-charge our bus network.

New funding for the West from the Department for Transport is set to secure even more green buses. The new zero-emission buses boast modern interiors with USB charging points for each seat, and a smoother, quieter and more reliable ride for customers. These new buses, like free bus travel for under-16s during the school summer holidays (19 July to 5 September), will help get more people on board public transport across the West.

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure at Bath and Lawrence Hill and another 160 zero emission buses can be delivered with this extra £19.8 million of public investment, reducing pollution and improving air quality – including along routes where that’s most needed in Bath and Bristol.

Work has already been completed at the First Bus depots in Hengrove (£44 million) and in Weston-super-Mare (£15 million), where North Somerset Council secured funding alongside investment to revamp up to 120 bus shelters on key routes through its Bus Service Improvement Plan. Almost 100 new green buses will be on our streets by the autumn.

In total, with further investment from First Bus in the West of England, around £150 million will have been invested in electric buses and charging infrastructure in the two years to March 2027 – with over 250 brand-new electric buses in operation by that time too.

Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:

“More money for transport in the West will help us get our region moving. This latest government funding is set to bring our total investment in green buses to £150 million – the majority from First Bus. Over 250 new electric buses by next summer would make a big difference for local passengers and for our planet. 

“I’m pleased to see plans for more of these brand-new buses to go beyond North Somerset and Bristol and into Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Alongside offers like Kids Go Free over the summer holidays, these brilliant new buses will help encourage more people to use public transport.

“This is just the start of a new chapter for the West of England with another, unprecedented £752 million secured for transport improvements over the coming years – including for better buses. Working with councils and bus operators, we will deliver improvements to bus services across our region. There are challenges around the consistency and reliability of some services, which I know together we can solve.”

Doug Claringbold, Managing Director for First Bus in the West of England, said: 

“This major investment in zero-emission buses and electrified depots is a huge step forward for the West of England, putting our region at the forefront of the UK’s green transport revolution.

“With more than 250 electric buses set to be on the road by next summer and four of our five depots fully electrified, we’re not only cutting carbon emissions, we’re delivering cleaner air, quieter streets and a better experience for about three quarters of a million passengers who will travel on an electric bus each week from next year.

“Thanks to investment from First Bus and the government, within two years £150m would have been spent on electric buses in our region, helping us to reach our goal of a fully electric bus fleet by 2035. This is about much more than new vehicles – it’s about transforming how people move across the region, making public transport more sustainable, reliable and ready for the future.”

Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said: 

“This is a landmark investment in the future of public transport across the West of England. By replacing older diesel buses with a new fleet of zero emission vehicles, we’re not only cutting carbon emissions but also improving air quality in some of our most polluted areas. The scale of this programme—160 new electric buses and upgraded depots that provide bus services across our area—shows what’s possible when local authorities and operators work in true partnership.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“I am delighted we will see even more electric buses travelling on our local roads soon. We know that air pollution has negative impacts on residents’ health, and introducing buses that have almost zero emissions is a step in the right direction towards making a positive change to the region’s air quality.

“Catching the bus is a sustainable way to move around the city, and we’re continuing work to improve a number of major transport routes to help make buses more reliable. And, don’t forget, you can get free bus taster tickets as part of a range of travel offers that are available to over 18s who live, study or work in Bristol and the wider West of England region.”

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council said: 

“North Somerset are keen to complete the job of transforming the whole of the local bus fleet to Electric and continuing to build on the success of the first 24 EV buses that have been transformative for our residents. the bus depot in Weston-super-Mare is able to support 60 electric buses once complete.

“Electric buses bring significant improvements to the journey experience for North Somerset’s passengers, with more reliable smoother, quieter rides, whilst emitting zero roadside emissions and less noise pollution, and we’ll be looking for further funding opportunities to bring more electric buses to the region.”

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“We welcome investment in zero-emission buses. This initiative underscores our dedication to providing sustainable alternatives to private car use. By promoting cleaner and more inclusive modes of transport, we are making significant strides towards our climate, health, and wellbeing goals. These buses will make it easier for everyone to move around safely and sustainably.”

These proposals, with a high benefit-cost ratio of £2.39 of public benefit for every £1 invested, will come before the new Mayor and council leaders’ next joint meeting on 18 July.

Press release by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.