100 electric buses now part of First Bus Norfolk fleet

First Bus has expanded its electric bus fleet in Norfolk to 100 vehicles, thanks to the addition of 14 new electric double-deckers in Norwich. The latest additions mean that electric buses now account for more than 60 per cent of the operator's fleet in the UK county.

According to First Bus, the new vehicles will operate on routes 28, 37, 38 and 38A, connecting Thorpe Marriot, Drayton Road, Hellesdon and Mulbarton with Norwich city centre. They will be based at the operator’s upgraded Vulcan Road depot, which has been equipped with new charging infrastructure. The exact models of buses purchased has not been disclosed.

The new vehicles are said to form part of a £13.8 million investment by First Bus and Norfolk County Council in local and regional bus services. First Bus is contributing £8.9 million, with the remainder supported by the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan funding. The wider programme has also brought 10 electric buses to Great Yarmouth, where charging infrastructure has been installed at the Caister Road depot.

Simon Mathieson, Regional Director of First Bus in the East and Midlands, said: “This joint investment in vehicles and depot infrastructure is another important step towards a cleaner, healthier future for everyone who lives, works and travels in Norfolk. It also underpins the ambition of First Bus to achieve a fully zero-emission fleet nationally by 2035.”

Councillor Joseph Kerrison, Deputy Cabinet Member for highways and transport added: “This latest investment is helping to deliver the reliable, high-quality bus services that people want and deserve […] Expanding the electric fleet to 100 vehicles is a significant milestone and demonstrates our shared commitment to investing in a modern bus network that encourages more people to choose the bus for everyday travel.”

First Bus aims to operate a fully zero-emission fleet in the UK by 2035.