Intelligent Transport Podcast Episode 20 – Isabel McAllister, First Bus

Beginning the conversation for this episode, Isabel McAllister, Chief Sustainability & Compliance Officer at First Bus, provides valuable insights about her role and the company’s commitment to achieving a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035, highlighting the significance of reducing its carbon footprint, improving air quality and ensuring reliable and efficient public transport services.

Then, we consider the process involved in securing Department for Transport (DfT) approval for boosting the ZEBRA funding to electrify Leicester’s bus depot, along with the integration of electric buses into First Bus’s fleet, Isabel addresses the challenges encountered while transitioning to a fully zero-emission fleet. Particular focus is placed on staff training, charging infrastructure implementation and collaborative efforts with industry partners and government entities to overcome these obstacles.

In the second half of this episode, we focus on the future of First Bus and the broader transportation industry, as Isabel sheds light on the potential advancements and shifts that lie ahead. She focuses on sustainability, electric vehicle adoption and the role of data and customer interface in passenger transport. In addition, Isabel highlights the emerging trend of car rental services as a viable alternative to private car ownership, emphasising its importance not only in urban areas but across the entire UK.