First Bus has completed a £750,000 investment programme at its Rochdale depot.
The focus of the improvements are enhanced engineering facilities, including a new double height workshop bay for vehicle repair and maintenance.
The new building also incorporates two pits for dealing with single decker buses and an external bay with lifting gear to elevate vehicles for easier access
Special equipment and diagnostics include a brake tester enabling on-site inspection and approval and new tooling.
Aaron Taylor, engineering manager said: “This allows us to take a proactive approach to planned maintenance and fleet improvement. The new facilities will also enable us to introduce new preventive maintenance processes to provide the best possible service to our customers and the community.”
He added: “This significant investment provides a springboard for our people to strive to be the best and achieve performance targets for the depot.”
Two apprentices will soon be joining the engineering team as the depot expands its technicians and skills base.
First Bus operates more than 30 routes for the Bee Network in the Rochdale and Bury area together with six school services using a fleet of over 65 buses with capacity to expand the depot to 90 vehicles.
General manager Paul Townley said: “This new depot is creating high-skilled, well paid jobs locally and regionally and as we continue to invest in the Rochdale area, First Bus is determined to help build the economy and link key communities as we support the Bee Network.”
Pic cap: Paul Townley (right) with Aaron Taylor show off the new workshop with (from left) Alain Eyre, Stores and depot assistant and mechanic Ozzy Kuzchoka, Charlton Manzini and Kyle Hewitt.
