The bid will also enable the relevant refueling infrastructure

    Bristol’s largest bus operator, First West of England, announced a joint bid to OLEV (Office for Low Emission Vehicles) for 110 double decker buses. Following the successful trial of Bristol’s now famous Bio-Bus (known locally as the ‘poo bus’), the operator have submitted a joint bid alongside South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council and North Somerset. The bid will also enable the relevant refueling infrastructure to be installed at Lawrence Hill Depot in Bristol.

    Since spring 2015 First in Bristol has been trialing a single deck Bio-Bus which has been running on the number 2 route. The buses would be strategically placed to serve areas of lower air quality benefiting the whole community. First West of England is an official partner of Bristol Green Capital 2015. If the bid is successful, 40% of the operator’s bus fleet would be low emission making a huge impact on Bristol and help carry the Green Capital legacy forward.

    “This joint bid represents a really exciting future for bus travel in Bristol. If we are successful First West of England, alongside our local authority partners, will be leading the way in creating a fully sustainable public transport network that can really make a difference to people in and around Bristol,” said Jenny MacLeod, General Manager for Bristol. “All 110 double decker natural gas gathering compressor based gas station Bio-Buses will operate in Bristol, representing almost half the fleet! Our extensive network in Bristol means that we can really make a difference to those areas that really need it.