First Bus Scotland scoops major sustainability award at 2022 Scottish Transport Awards

• First Glasgow wins Contribution to Sustainable Transport Award for completion of UK’s largest electric vehicle charging hub
• Lifesaving First Glasgow drivers Billy Bell and Mark Macduff share Frontline Employee of the Year award
• First Glasgow receives commendation in Public Transport Operator of the Year category, while First Aberdeen recognised for launch of world’s first hydrogen double deckers in 2021.

First Bus Scotland enjoyed success at the 2022 Scottish Transport Awards as it received a major sustainability award for the completion of the UK’s largest electric vehicle charging hub at its Caledonia depot.

Located in the south side of Glasgow, the project saw First Bus’ Caledonia depot transformed with the installation of 160 state of the art, rapid charging points installed over the last 12 months. Its completion allows 150 electric vehicles to be charged at one time and its completion was a landmark moment in First Bus’ journey towards being emission-free by 2035.

First Bus is continuing to invest heavily in its decarbonisation journey after confirming £35 million is being invested in 74 brand new electric buses and supporting infrastructure in Glasgow and Aberdeen. The work to transform its Scotstoun and Aberdeen depots into state of the art electric vehicle charging hubs is expected to take 12 months with the arrival of the buses set to mark an important milestone for the First Bus fleets in each city.

The night also saw two of First Glasgow’s hero bus drivers recognised for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Billy Bell, a First Glasgow driver for over 11 years, saved the life of passenger John McCann who suffered a cardiac arrest on board in April 2021. Billy was driving the No.57 route at the time and was alerted a passenger had taken ill. He immediately stopped the journey and began administering CPR at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Billy assisted paramedics upon their arrival by continuing chest compressions for a further 15 minutes, whilst paramedics set up a defibrillator to support John and take him to hospital.

In January 2022, First Glasgow driver based at Scotstoun and army reservist Mark Macduff was driving the No.3 route when he noted smoke coming from the road ahead and another bus with its hazard lights on. After seeing there was a crash, Mark took control of the situation using his military medical experience and categorised the patients into severity, pointing out to the paramedic who had missed the potential for internal bleeding on the driver. As a result of Mark’s heroic actions, the three injured people in the car – one with a shattered knee and two with internal bleeding – survived the road traffic collision.

Further recognition for First Glasgow arrived in a commendation in the Public Transport Operator of the Year category, while First Aberdeen was recognised for the launch of the world’s first hydrogen double deckers in 2021.

Duncan Cameron, managing director of First Bus Scotland, said: “We are delighted to receive recognition for the transformation of our Caledonia depot into the UK’s largest electric vehicle charging hub over the last 12 months. We’re proud of the progress that we’ve made across Scotland so far and we are excited to continue that progress in Scotstoun and Aberdeen over the next 12 months.

“It was fantastic to see both Billy and Mark recognised for their remarkable actions going above and beyond what could be expected from any person. We recognise our drivers can be faced with challenging situations at any time and to see how calmly and selflessly both Billy and Mark acted under intense pressure has made everyone at First Bus proud to be working alongside them.”