First Bus has announced that it is to provide the shuttle service for the COP26 event in Glasgow
First Bus has been appointed operator of choice by SPT and Transport Scotland for the official COP26 delegate shuttle service between Glasgow city centre and the blue and green zones on the event campus. First Glasgow will operate the shuttle service using its fleet of
22 new BYD ADL electric buses, which were part funded through Transport Scotland’s SULEB scheme.
First Bus was appointed the official transport operators of the COP26 delegate shuttle service, following a tender process run by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) on behalf of the UK and Scottish Governments.
The shuttle service will provide a link for delegates attending the event between the city centre and the blue and green zones on the event campus based at the SSE Hydro and Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre site.
Duncan Cameron, Interim Managing Director at First Bus in Scotland said: “First Bus Scotland is delighted to have been chosen to operate the official COP26 shuttle service and will be working closely with SPT, Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Office to ensure a smooth and efficient service can be delivered for all delegates attending the event. It has been a long time in the planning and it is exciting to now be in the build up to the event officially. It is vitally important that everyone takes the time to familiarise themselves with all diversions and transport plans in order to keep Glasgow moving and deliver an event that the whole world will be proud to be a part of. As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the Government’s ambitions for a net-zero carbon transport system, including zero-emission bus fleets. We have already committed to achieving this by 2035 and we look forward to showcasing this to delegates over the course of the event.”
SPT Chair of Operations Committee Councillor, David Wilson, added: “COP26 is a huge opportunity for Glasgow and we all want to ensure the visiting delegates from across the globe are able to travel around the city as easily and efficiently as possible. SPT is, once again, proud to play its part assisting with the transport organisation across Glasgow while the city hosts yet another major international event. We’ve procured on behalf of the UK and Scottish Governments this Zero Emission shuttle bus service to ensure we meet the transport demands of COP26 and to ensure our international visitors can move around the city.
“Working with First Bus Scotland to deliver the official COP26 zero-emission shuttle service will mean delegates can travel to the event by sustainable public transport and, where they hopefully, can work to deliver a Glasgow climate agreement we can all be proud of.”
The SULEB funding scheme used for the buses will eventually not only help First Glasgow replace 126 of the oldest buses in its fleet with new zero-emission buses, but also help transform its Caledonia depot on the south side of Glasgow city centre. Already the UK’s largest depot, the investment will see it converted into one of the UK’s largest electric fleet charging stations, with the potential for over 150 vehicles to be recharged at a time.
Minister for Transport Graeme Dey commented: “I’m really pleased to see Transport Scotland’s SULEB scheme helping to fund this significant order of new electric buses, as part of our commitment to meeting Scotland’s world leading climate change targets and leading a green recovery from the pandemic. It’s a real success story that these buses will be manufactured by ADL in Falkirk – supporting jobs in bus manufacturing and benefiting the wider economy before they enter service for communities across Glasgow.”
