Transdev opens new 'future ready' bus depot in York

Yorkshire-based bus operator Transdev has officially opened its new green depot on the northern outskirts of York – with an upbeat assessment of the prospects for future expansion.

The forward-thinking bus firm says the new building at Rawcliffe includes its own in-house training Academy, to help attract and retain the best people for its driving and engineering teams.

The new purpose built depot building provides a reduction in carbon emissions of 28%, compared with the statutory level set by the Government in 2013.

This was achieved through detailed design integration of renewable technologies, such as solar panels, air source heat pumps, building airtightness and associated detail measures, to create an energy efficient and sustainable building.

Biodiversity is also enhanced by planting, plus bird and bat nesting boxes to support the natural environment around the depot site. Charging facilities for light electric vehicles are included, while the new building has been prepared for future full electrification of its bus fleet.

The depot features an engineering workshop filled with the most up-to-date hardware, including high-tech vehicle lifting gear and diagnostic performance testing equipment – while behind the scenes, staff welfare and office accommodation also benefits from the latest energy-saving, emission-reducing technology.

Local buses run by Transdev subsidiary York & Country will now be stabled and maintained at the new facility, plus a small number of vehicles for its ever-popular Coastliner route, which links York with Leeds and the Yorkshire Coast.

Rawcliffe is also now home to York’s leading tour bus operator, City Sightseeing York, whose bright red open top buses follow a circular route serving 21 stops including all of the historic city’s most popular visitor sights and attractions up to every 15 minutes, seven days a week. On Sundays, discounted fares are available to local residents with a York Card.

An opening ceremony with invited guests including York and North Yorkshire transport leaders and local communities was held at the new facility, with the honour of cutting the ribbon to declare the depot open going to Emily Pickard, creator of York parenting website York Mumbler.

Emily said: “I’m especially impressed with the green credentials of this building – from solar power on its roof to energy-saving heating systems, it’s clear Transdev have really gone the extra mile to protect York’s environment. The bus maintenance facilities here are also second to none.

“The new building has been thoughtfully designed to make it accessible and above all safe for everyone who works here. I’m hoping to see school visits here when the team settles in, as lots of children are fascinated by buses.”

Alongside Emily as she performed the official opening was Transdev CEO Henri Rohard, who said: “I’m very proud to see this marvellous new facility for York opened at the end of two years of hard work throughout the construction phase by the team here, led by our Operations Manager Kel Pizzuti.

“This represents a significant investment by Transdev in our future in York and North Yorkshire. It gives our people the best purpose-designed facilities to work with, and will help us to attract and retain the best people at this impressive new base which is ideally placed for future expansion.”

Among the transport industry figures at the opening event was Andrew McGuinness, North of England Regional Manager for the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), the UK trade body representing bus and coach operators.

Andrew said: “This is a clean, modern and above all sustainable development which is future ready as our industry moves to electric buses as the greener way to make public transport accessible for everyone.

“It’s clear that a great deal of planning and a massive team effort has gone into bringing this new facility to life. It demonstrates Transdev’s clear commitment to the city and people of York, and to the future of its bus network right across the region.”

Full details of all Transdev bus routes in the York area are available online at: transdevbus.co.uk/york and on the free to download Transdev Go mobile app. CitySightseeing York tour bus information, including its unique ‘Rainy Day Guarantee’, is also online at: yorkcitysightseeing.com.