FirstGroup invests £160m into 955 buses

Order includes 200 buses to transport people to the 2012 Olympic Games in London

First Group has revealed that its bus division is to invest £160m into 955 buses over the next two years, from UK bus manufacturers.

The order, spread over two years, includes 200 buses to transport people to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.

As a result of the order for 955 buses, First will invest in the region of a further £4m over two years to refurbish and ‘cascade’ buses to other parts of its business, thus improving the quality of its vehicles throughout the UK.

UK manufacturers, Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis, have been awarded the contracts to build the buses.

The new buses will enter service from April and have low floor access and EURO V engines. The new buses will be a combination of double decker and single deckers.
 
Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First UK Bus said: "The effect of our £160m investment will help safeguard and create jobs in the UK."

"It demonstrates our confidence in the marketplace and reinforces our commitment to provide high quality services to our customers."

Further information:
FirstGroup