National Express West Midlands has commenced operations at its new bus and maintenance garage in Perry Barr, Birmingham.
The new facility has been designed with energy-efficient features and has the capacity to house a full fleet of electric buses and chargers, thus advancing the operator’s mission to be net-zero by 2030.
The 6.5-acre site has parking spaces for over 170 buses, with 12 maintenance bays, 3 fuel bays, 3 bus washes and 1 chassis wash. It is also fitted with 150 solar panels to provide on-site power.
In addition, the new bus and maintenance garage has a 432 metres-squared green roof that is home to 22 species of plant, as well as a self-contained water recycling system for bus washes.
David Bradford, Managing Director of National Express West Midlands said:From the very start of the project, we wanted to create a site that offered our people a high quality working environment but to also ensure a low environmental impact in both the build and future operations.
By being able to design something from scratch, we’ve transformed how we work from top to bottom. Through evolving our garage and operations we’ll use less energy, be even safer, have more efficient ways of working, and are better equipped to train and look after our people - while providing great value transport for the people of the West Midlands.
The new garage is part of Birmingham City Council’s wider regeneration of the Perry Barr area, including a revamped Perry Barr railway station, the launch of Sprint bus rapid transit services and better options for cycling and walking.
