First Group: General Discussion

[G760XRE]

The First Essex thread isn't open for replies, so having to put this here...

Earlier today on Parkhall Road in Stoke-on-trent I saw Wright Streetdeck re-power RKZ4761 in Ultraviolet livery without any fleet number or First branding. It seems - according to bustimes.org - this is former 35310 SN18XYG, now numbered 71061 and destined for Essex. Was this here for repaint? I don't think Potteries have been doing repaints for the re-powered Streetdecks, but I could be wrong . ...

 

[GusB]

The First Essex thread isn't open for replies, so having to put this here...

Threads are automatically locked if there has been no activity for a certain amount of time. If you use the report link on the last post in that thread and ask for it to be re-opened, I'm sure the mods will oblige.

 

[Rutland Road]

The First Essex thread isn't open for replies, so having to put this here...

Earlier today on Parkhall Road in Stoke-on-trent I saw Wright Streetdeck re-power RKZ4761 in Ultraviolet livery without any fleet number or First branding. It seems - according to bustimes.org - this is former 35310 SN18XYG, now numbered 71061 and destined for Essex. Was this here for repaint? I don't think Potteries have been doing repaints for the re-powered Streetdecks, but I could be wrong . ...

Any sign of the former Pelican Yutong E9 demonstrator due to come toTaunton at Adderley Green? I think it's single door E9L, registration mark YE74 VGO. Perhaps destined to be allocated fleet number 48500.

 

[sytransport]

Any sign of the former Pelican Yutong E9 demonstrator due to come toTaunton at Adderley Green? I think it's single door E9L, registration mark YE74 VGO. Perhaps destined to be allocated fleet number 48500.

Believe it was in Olive Grove parked up a few days ago, not sure if it’s moved on yet.

 

[G760XRE]

Believe it was in Olive Grove parked up a few days ago, not sure if it’s moved on yet.

I can confirm it's on site at Adderley Green, saw it this morning. Due to where it has been parked I couldn't get a photo unfortunately

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2026 ==

Any sign of the former Pelican Yutong E9 demonstrator due to come toTaunton at Adderley Green? I think it's single door E9L, registration mark YE74 VGO. Perhaps destined to be allocated fleet number 48500.

I would have thought it'd regain 57500, the fleet number it carried when on demo at Bath?

57500 - YE74 VGO

Yutong E9L

bustimes.org

 

[Rutland Road]

I can confirm it's on site at Adderley Green, saw it this morning. Due to where it has been parked I couldn't get a photo unfortunately

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2026 ==


I would have thought it'd regain 57500, the fleet number it carried when on demo at Bath?

57500 - YE74 VGO

Yutong E9L

bustimes.org

That makes sense. I didn't realise it had previously carried a First fleet number and was following the logic used when allocating number 30000 to the other Yutong ex-demonstrator here in Taunton.

This bus will complement the Yutong E10 fleet 48501-504 we have here, working Taunton Town and Bridgwater Town services. It is due to undergo repaint and reupholstering to reflect standard First specification, so is probably some weeks away from entering service.

 

[nick291]

Is there a fleetlist with the Wright Streetdeck conversions anywhere? Preferably with the old fleet number and registration as well?

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Is there a fleetlist with the Wright Streetdeck conversions anywhere? Preferably with the old fleet number and registration as well?

Fin has been maintaining an unofficial list here:

First Repowers (not official)

docs.google.com

 

[nick291]

Fin has been maintaining an unofficial list here:

First Repowers (not official)

docs.google.com

Cool, thankyou!

 

[Volvodart]

sizewell C Transport services contract award

https://otp.tools.investis.com/clie.../regulatory-story.aspx?cid=858&newsid=2073626

FirstGroup plc (the `Group') announces the award of the Sizewell C bus transport services contract, further strengthening the Group's Business and Coach portfolio.



The Group's subsidiary, Specialist Passenger Solutions (SPS) is delighted to have been awarded the contract to operate worker transport and site shuttle services from points across Suffolk, to and from the Sizewell C nuclear power plant construction site. The contract has a term of up to five years from July 2026 and SPS will operate a modern, zero emission fleet of c.150 buses, including hydrogen and electric buses, provided to SPS by Sizewell C Ltd. The new SPS operation is also expected to create around 400 new jobs, including drivers, engineers and support staff.



At peak construction, it is estimated that nearly 8,000 workers will be working at Sizewell C. SPS will be able to make use of its extensive experience from its operations at Hinkley Point C in Somerset where it has successfully managed workforce transport for the UK's largest construction site since 2016 and currently transports more than 12,000 people a day.



Commenting, Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer said:

"Growing and diversifying our Bus portfolio is a strategic priority for the Group. This important contract builds on the work we have done over the last few years to bolster our Business and Coach segment, where we have seen revenues double, to £230m in FY 2026."



"We are delighted to have been awarded the Sizewell C contract and look forward to supporting the delivery of one of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects."

 

[Fletcj10]

I do wonder now they have won this if the Aberdeen hydro's might move here gives them a use finally

 

[Volvodart]

I do wonder now they have won this if the Aberdeen hydro's might move here gives them a use finally

They would need to buy them from Aberdeen Council and they would be non standard with the other hydrogen buses, unless they were refurbished first. They do not say how many hydrogen buses there are to be too, as the electric buses are a relatively new addition.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

They would need to buy them from Aberdeen Council and they would be non standard with the other hydrogen buses, unless they were refurbished first. They do not say how many hydrogen buses there are to be too, as the electric buses are a relatively new addition.

Refurbishing the buses could easily be done similar to the repowers. Aberdeen won’t really have a use for them if First buy them considering they have survived this long without them. The hydroliners will have very little mileage as they were hardly used.

 

[Fletcj10]

Refurbishing the buses could easily be done similar to the repowers. Aberdeen won’t really have a use for them if First buy them considering they have survived this long without them. The hydroliners will have very little mileage as they were hardly used.

That's my point maybe Sizewell or First might buy them as their available now, a small repaint & refurb wont take but more then maybe 4/6 weeks

 

[sytransport]

They’d need conversion to electric which is around £250k per bus

 

[scosutsut]

As Aberdeen Council own them, and First state they are being supplied the vehicles for this contract, I doubt it on about three different levels.

 

[Mark L]

They’d need conversion to electric which is around £250k per bus

They are already “electric”. The fuel cell generates electricity which passes, via a battery pack, to an electric motor. The fuel cells and hydrogen tanks would need to be stripped out and replaced with additional batteries. They currently have ~27kWh battery packs. I am assuming (but no more than that) that the additional packs could occupy that space currently used for the hydrogen tanks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jul 2026 ==

That's my point maybe Sizewell or First might buy them as their available now, a small repaint & refurb wont take but more then maybe 4/6 weeks

Getting a reliable hydrogen supply might still be an issue. Regardless of its source hydrogen is an inherently less efficient way of powering a vehicle than simply charging a battery from the mains.