Works have commenced on the electrification of First Bus’s Basildon Depot which will provide 60No EV charging points for the new electric bus fleet.

The installation will see four large gantries spanning ten 10 buses. The innovative gantry installation will support 39No. Heliox electric charging reels suspended above each bus at high level. The reels provide remote lowering of power leads adjacent to the charging port of each bus, reducing trailing cables and intermediate islands.

The gantries have been designed to allow safe personnel access for maintenance without the need for specialist access equipment. They provide additional benefits of keeping the yard free from obstructions to allow the space to be used through the day for other functions such as bus driver training. The gantries also provides lighting between high vehicles for safer night operation. The concept was initially introduced at the FirstBus depot in Leicester and is now being rolled out to other depots.

Janus Architecture have been supporting First Bus with this project from the concept design and we obtained planning approval in 2023. Janus Architecture completed the detailed design package alongside structural engineers JB Langley and Lachmann Consultants. The works have been carefully phased to ensure the client operations are able to continue throughout the construction works.

Watch out for further posts of the completed project in early 2025.

First Bus  :  Heliox  :  JB Langley Associates  :  Vextrix  :  Magnus Construction  :  Stonewood Electrical

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