WARRINGTON’S brand new £10m bus depot, which will house one of the largest all-electric bus fleets in the country, has officially opened.
Britain’s first purpose-built electric bus depot on Dallam Lane, has opened as Warrington’s municipal bus company celebrates its 120th anniversary – only the second time it has moved premises.
Funded by Warrington Borough Council, the Government’s Town Deal Fund and Getting Building Fund – the depot forms an important part of Warrington’s plans to bring major investment into the town’s bus service.
Warrington’s Own Buses is now operating from the cutting-edge facility, which is ready to support a fully electrified bus fleet in line with the council’s zero emissions buses (ZEBRA) plans.
MD Ben Wakerley said: “After many years of planning, we fully opened our new depot today!
“We transferred the bus service in stages over recent weeks, culminating with operations and engineering overnight and the full service this morning achieved.
“So proud of our team and great to see so many happy people today. It is an absolute step change for the business and sincere thanks to Warrington Borough Council and the whole team who have worked together jointly to deliver this.
“The support from top to bottom of all the organisations involved has been immense. From design, build, M&E, utilities, politically, local authorities, project management and many more, everyone has pulled together.
“Some pictures show the look and feel of the new depot and an empty picture of the old depot, which served Warrington for 61 years.
“Brilliant to be a part of it – this is only the second time the company has moved in 120 years!”
The town’s electric bus fleet is being supported by £21.5m from the Department of Transport’s ZEBRA fund. The funding will enable the replacement of Warrington’s Own Buses’ entire fleet of diesel buses – which cover 85% of the bus mileage in the borough – with more than 100 new electric buses, giving Warrington one of the biggest all-electric bus fleets in the country.
The old depot
Yesterday we said goodbye to Wilderspool…our home for the last 61 years.
And today…we fully opened our new depot! Looking forward to many more years serving the people of Warrington and bringing zero-emission buses to the town soon.
Thank you for your support 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/fRAbaLkeA0
— Warrington's Own Buses (@WarringtonBuses) April 6, 2023
2 Comments
The bus “service” is a joke. Not enough buses, those that do run are often late and subsequently crowded. Lived in different places in UK but the worst bus service is definitely Warrington’s.
To Warringtons own busses
Nice new bus depot
Good luck with your new bus 🚌 depot