OXFORD Bus Company’s senior engineering team were in bright spirits when the Oxford Mail paid a visit to its main Oxford depot last week to see its new energy-saving lighting.

The company which has served Oxford for over a century and operates some 165 buses all across the city has now installed 1,160 more cost-effective lights at its maintenance depot.

Facilities manager Andy Seeney, aged 48, said that the new bulbs would save 25 per cent each year on energy bills for the workshop and paint shop.

He said: “They are an improvement because we are spending a lot less on electricity and reducing the air carbon emissions.

"With the work we do here we can see better especially at night.

"The entire project cost about £65,000 and we are looking at a 25 per cent reduction in our energy costs.

"It's something we are obviously trying to improve: our energy cost efficiency."

Speaking of a typical day at the depot, he said they usually processed about 20 vehicles each day, with most work work due to routine maintenance rather than faults.

He said: "A typical day is getting the vehicle ready to go out, and the drivers come in at around 4 or 5am. The mechanics are here around 7am."

The new lighting also has the effect of showing up more scratches on the buses while on the paint floor, according to Mr Seeney.

He said: "Oxford roads aren't too bad and we don't have many vandals around Oxford, but there is an amount of rural roads which can cause scratches by trees.

“Having these new lights means we can see these a lot better.

Mr Seeney, who is from Eynsham, has worked for the firm for the past 31 years, having joined the company straight after leaving school.

He said: "We do have days that are worse than others, but it is a good team here. We have had bad days but everyone gets around it and works it out.

"I followed my two brothers here. One brother still works here as a fitter. My dad used to be an engineer as well, so it runs in the family.

"Traffic in Oxford is getting better because the major roadworks have stopped now. I travel the A40 every morning and I can see the benefit."

Engineering manager Robbie Betterton aged 29 and from Basingstoke, also praised the new lighting.

He said: "It’s fantastic. The lights before were obviously not very bright. It should save a fortune."

Vehicle builder Tony Bennett, aged 59, said: "It's a lot better at night.

"I have worked in a lot of places that didn't have these lights, and it's a big improvement to have them now."