New data from FirstGroup shows investment in cleaner and greener transport is reducing emissions and boosting access to environmentally friendly transport
- 30%* reduction in emissions since 2020
- 1,450 zero-emission buses delivering 189 million passenger journeys
- Progress delivered by investments of more than £500million in the last four years
New data released from FirstGroup shows the Group has reduced emissions by 30%* since 2020 as it works towards a fully zero-emission commercial bus fleet by 2035.
In the last four years, the Group has invested around £500 million in zero-emission vehicles, charging infrastructure and depot improvements. Today, it operates 1,450 zero-emission vehicles, providing 189 million passenger journeys on zero-emission vehicles across the UK in the last year.
The data is part of FirstGroup’s 2026 Sustainability Report, ‘Driving Change' which shows how improving public transport is essential to delivering long-term environmental and social sustainability, and how the Group is contributing to this change.
Innovation across the Group is also helping accelerate decarbonisation across the wider transport system. On the rail network, Great Western Railway has introduced the UK’s first rapid‑charging battery train into passenger service, capable of reducing emissions by 80% and recharging in just 3.5 minutes.
Through First Charge, FirstGroup is opening its depot charging infrastructure to third-party commercial fleets, helping to remove barriers to fleet electrification and support the wider transition to zero-emission transport.
Beyond environmental progress, FirstGroup continues to generate wider economic and social value through its transport services. Hull Trains and Lumo are on track to contribute a collective £1.4bn in economic benefits by the end of their current track access agreements in 2032 and 2033. While, workplace transport services carry more than four million passengers annually, improving access to employment across multiple industries.
The Group remains focused on delivering safe, accessible and inclusive transport networks, alongside developing future talent, with more than 500 apprentices currently training across the business.
Isabel McAllister, Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer at FirstGroup, said:
"We're proud to publish Driving Change, our 2026 Sustainability Report, bringing together the progress we've made and our ambition to help transform the UK's transport system.
"Transport has a unique role to play in creating a more sustainable, inclusive and connected society. This isn't simply about reducing emissions – it's about changing the systems that shape how people move around our communities.
"Whether we're investing in zero-emission vehicles, sharing charging infrastructure or working with partners to improve local transport networks, we're helping build the connected transport system our communities need."
The publication of Driving Change brings together its environmental, social and governance activity into a dedicated sustainability report, providing a single overview of the Group's progress, priorities and long-term ambitions.
To view the full report click here.
Notes to editors
* This reduction covers emissions from FirstGroup’s own operations (Scope 1) and the energy used to power them (Scope 2).
Driving Change provides an overview of FirstGroup's sustainability initiatives and ambitions for both the business and the wider transport sector.
Further disclosures relating to the environmental, social and governance topics relevant to FirstGroup's operations, including its mandatory Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting, are available in the FirstGroup Annual Report and Accounts 2026.