First Bus has begun celebrations for its 30th birthday with the help of professional trainspotter and social media superstar, Francis Bourgeois – who has swapped his conductor’s hat for a really big steering wheel.
Kicking off celebrations in Aberdeen – the company’s birthplace – First Bus gave Francis his first taste of a career on the road with a test drive in a brand-new electric bus.
First Bus, which first formed in 1995, operates more than 1.5 million journeys per day across the United Kingdom and recently committed to investments of more than 300 million GBP into a zero-emission fleet to mark its 40th birthday in 2035.
Janette Bell, Managing Director, First Bus, says:Since its inception, First Bus has been driven by its goal of bringing people together and connecting communities. Buses don’t just move a nation, they bring a nation together, every day. Over the past 30 years, the business has seen unprecedented transformation and growth, and it’s a point of pride that we’ve thrived to meet the needs of our passengers and our people throughout.
Even in the past five years alone, we’ve gone from initiating major milestones like launching our first electric bus in 2020, to now operating with over 1100 in our fleet. It’s amazing to be able to reflect on everything that's happened since 1995, while also looking forward to what’s to come.
The company received a total makeover in 2024, which saw the introduction of a new logo as part of an ad-campaign featuring TV personality Josie Gibson, and earlier this week launched a new campaign featuring Scottish actor & professional wrestler, Grado, celebrating the launch of its new fully electric Glasgow Airport Express service.
This time, it’s Francis Bourgeois in the driving seat – who has chosen to reveal his love for a second method of public transportation.
Speaking on his enthusiasm for buses, Francis Bourgeois commented:I know I’m known for the railway, but my enthusiasm for public transport extends to other forms too, like buses. I was thrilled when First Bus invited me to celebrate its 30th birthday at the Aberdeen depot. Seeing how much buses have evolved in the last three decades is incredible, not only the transition to electric vehicles but also learning about the impact buses have on society.
Perhaps in another career, I could have been a bus driver…maybe I will become a bus driver!
