Nine new buses have joined First West of England’s fleet in Bath, in a bid to further move to improve the city’s air quality, running on routes through some of the city’s busiest neighbourhoods.
First Operations Manager for Bath, Rob Sanderson, with driver Andy Evered | Photo © @joncraig_photos
The new Slimline Optare Solo buses meet the latest Euro VI environmental standards, and will be running through Combe Down, Larkhall, Fairfield Park, Kingsway, Haycombe and Bathampton.
They have high quality interiors to improve customer experience, and are in ‘Bath City’ colours.
Rob Sanderson, First West of England’s Operations Manager for Bath said: “Bringing these brand-new buses to Bath is especially exciting.
“Not only will it mean that customers will be able to enjoy a more comfortable journey, but they will also play their part in making the city’s air cleaner for everybody.
“Making this investment just a week after announcing the upgrade of 10 buses to the latest environmental standards shows how First West of England are leading the way in investing in our fleet in Bath to improve the customer experience and safeguard the environment for future generations.”
The introduction of the new buses is possible after Bath and North East Somerset Council made improvements to the roads along the bus routes, to allow the vehicles to travel.
The new buses have been introduced thanks to a £1.5 million investment from FirstGroup.
The announcement comes just weeks after First West of England announced a £127,750 upgrade to ten buses in the city to also tackle air pollution, following the decision by Bath and North East Somerset Council to introduce a clean air zone in the city.
The new buses will run on services 2, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12.
