Aviation Minister announces that A1 and A3 Bristol Airport Flyer buses will be electric

Bristol Airport will welcome 21 new electric buses in the new year, transforming the A1 and A3 Airport Flyer services operated by First Bus. The investment forms a key part of the Airport’s commitment to reach net zero operations by 2030, with the entire Airport Flyer fleet becoming fully electric.

Image (L-R): Rob Pymm, Commercial Director for First Bus in the West of England, Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport, Keir Mather MP, Minister for Aviation, and Sadik Al-Hassan MP, North Somerset

The move to an all-electric fleet was announced by the UK’s Aviation Minister, Keir Mather MP, during his first official visit to an airport since taking up the role. He was joined by the Airport’s local MP, Sadik Al-Hassan, Member of Parliament for North Somerset.

The A1 route, connecting Bristol Temple Meads, the city centre bus station and Bedminster with Bristol Airport, will be upgraded to a fleet of new electric double-deckers. Passengers using the A3 service between Weston-super-Mare, Worle, Congresbury, Cleeve and Bristol Airport will benefit from new electric single-deck buses.

Transitioning from diesel to electric buses is projected to reduce emissions by approximately 74%, equating to an annual saving of around 1,327 tonnes of CO₂e, which is the equivalent of driving 4.83 million miles in a petrol car.*

The new buses are quiet, smooth and fully air conditioned, which will mean cooler journeys in the summer months and no more steamed up windows during the winter. The vehicles have USB charging points and Wi-Fi will continue to be available onboard.

All buses have disabled access, space for wheelchair users and room for guide dogs to sit next to their owners, as well as priority seating for passengers who need it the most. There will also be real time tracking at bus stops.

Hannah Pollard, Head of Sustainability, Bristol Airport said: “This is all part of our commitment to achieve net zero operations by 2030. We’re on track to meet that challenging target thanks to our major private investment, with emissions being cut through the replacement of diesel vehicles with electric across our airside and landside fleet.

“Both the A1 and A3 Airport Flyers are increasingly popular with our customers and staff, with over 1 million journeys already this year. And with 70% of our workforce living within a 20-mile radius, many can benefit from the free staff travel that the services offer.”

Rob Pymm, Commercial Director for First Bus in the West of England, added: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Bristol Airport to introduce a fully electric fleet on the A1 and A3 Airport Flyer services next spring.

“This investment not only brings environmental benefits, but also quieter and smoother journeys for customers. It represents a shared commitment to delivering cleaner, sustainable transport for the region and a better experience for the growing number of customers who use these services.”

Bristol Airport currently has 11 electric buses that are used to transport customers between the terminal and car parks and the aircraft and the terminal, as well as seven electric vehicles that are used across the site with a further six electric buses due early next year.

To date this year, the A1 service has transported more than one million customers and staff, and over 170,000 passengers and staff on the A3, so it’s set to be the busiest year for bus usage so far. Both services have dedicated bays in the new £60 million Public Transport Interchange that opened in July.

The A1 is available every eight minutes from 7am – 7pm, and every 30 minutes overnight. The A3 has increased its services by more than 60% during the day, mostly running every half-an-hour, and at least hourly by night (7pm – 7am).

Tickets for these services can be pre-booked or customers can simply hop on and pay by card or contactless. There is a transport page on the Airport’s website helping passengers work out the cost of various modes of transport and the journey times. Its recommended customers sign up to Rewards emails to receive regular offers on the Flyer, Fast Track and much more.