ONE of York’s top bus operators has said winning a press business award has helped it spread the message about how it is reducing carbon emissions and helping improve air quality in the city.

First Bus won the Business Innovation category, which this year is sponsored by Fera Science Ltd, the major research institute at Sand Hutton. 

The award last November followed it efforts in creating the first all-electric fleet outside London, after working with City of York Council in securing government funding towards it.

The conversion of the depot was completed in March. It houses 86 electric buses, including a dedicated fleet on the York Park & Ride, which First Bus operates in partnership with the city council.

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A First Bus spokesman says the depot continues to make further progress in its goal to reach Net Zero.

“At the end of June, the diesel fuel tank was removed forever. The solar panels we installed on the roof of the engineering bays have now been generating renewable energy for more than a year to meet up to half the power needs on site – which means the offices, lighting, heating, engineering equipment.”

Earlier this year, a customer satisfaction survey for the Park and Ride showed 9 out of 10 customers are happy with the service, the journey times into the city centre, reliability and would recommend the service to a friend.

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The spokesman continued: “We are making plans for an official launch at the end of August to celebrate completion of the depot electrification. We are also discussing use of the charging infrastructure by businesses and ‘blue light’ services when our fleet of buses is out during the day, serving communities across York.”

First Bus believes winning the award helped it show how it is supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and support targets for better air quality in the city. It is also a message the operator promotes to residents and visitors to encourage more use of the bus networks for the environmental benefits and to combat traffic congestion.

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The spokesman advises entrants keep to details clear and simple to ‘tell a story’ that people can easily relate to.

He added: “This will help to make the entry more memorable in the minds of judges, who will have a lot of others to consider.”

(Image: pic supplied)

The Press BUSINESSiQ Awards 2024 are free to enter and open to all businesses in The Press’s circulation area of York, North and East Yorkshire. They conclude with a glittering black tie dinner at the Knavesmire, this year on Friday November 29.

There are 11 categories: Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Hethertons Solicitors; Large Business of the Year, sponsored by YO1 Radio; New Business of the Year, sponsored by the NFU; Retail, Tourism or Leisure Business of the Year, sponsored by York Data Services; Business Personality of the Year, sponsored by York Racecourse; Family Business of the Year, sponsored by JW Myers Monumental Masons; Business Sustainability, sponsored by Portakabin; Business Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Fera Science Ltd; Employer of the Year, sponsored by City Cruises; Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Parsons Accountants; and Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Merchant Adventurers Hall.

The headline sponsor is York St John University.

The closing date for entries is Friday August 16. To enter, go to https://forms.office.com/e/RhdjnF6UFH or use the QR code.