First Bus net zero York depot shows environmental impact one year on

A year since the First Bus depot in York was confirmed among the first in the country to be net zero-emission, the bus operator says its impact is now really showing in environmental improvements for the city.

Figures released by City of York Council show the electric bus fleet contributed to a 27 per cent reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels around Gillygate and Bootham in 2024. The busy junction area is crossed regularly by a number of First Bus vehicles including city services and the Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride.

Mick Forbes, Engineering Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, said: “The results are very positive and provide real evidence of the environmental benefits we are achieving with our fully zero-emission fleet on the streets of York.

“We are delighted this is recognised in the air quality assessment by City of York Council and will continue to support its efforts to create cleaner air in the city.

“By working together with the council we have been able to invest millions of pounds with government funding support to transform our James Street depot.”

First Bus has a total fleet of 86 all-electric buses operating at the depot. This now saves around 5,000 tonnes of C02e every year.

Reaching the net zero goal has meant going a step beyond eliminating fleet tailpipe emissions (First Bus’s Zero Emission Mission 2035) by accounting for other direct operational emissions associated with the site. This includes the energy used to power the depot and ancillary vehicles.

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