FirstGroup invests heavily in fuel-efficient buses

Developed in partnership with bus manufacturer Wrightbus, the vehicles are diesel operated but incorporate a new on board hybrid system improving fuel efficiency by around 10%.

First UK Bus’ managing director Giles Fearnley said the investment will deliver “unsurpassed levels of fuel efficiency, which, until recently few within in the bus industry would have believed possible”.

“In 2013 we laid down the gauntlet to bus manufacturers to work with us to minimise fuel consumption,” added Fearnley.

First has also placed orders with other UK manufacturers including six electric vehicles from Optare.

In December, Transport for London (TfL) announced that it is trialling electric buses for the first time in London in an effort to cut emissions from the Capital’s bus fleet.

Leigh Stringer