£13.8 million investment will bring 24 more electric buses to Norfolk
First Bus, working in partnership with Norfolk County Council, is delivering 24 brand new electric double-decker buses and supporting depot infrastructure as part of a £13.8 million joint investment in greener transport for the county.
The new vehicles will join First Bus’ 76 electric buses already operating in Norwich, marking another significant step forward in Norfolk’s transition to zero tailpipe emission public transport. The investment, £8.9 million funded by First Bus and the remainder supported through Norfolk’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant, will see the new fleet serving communities in Great Yarmouth and Norwich by Autumn 2026.
Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First Bus East of England, said: “We’re really pleased that more people across Norfolk will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of electric buses, and we’re proud to be working with Norfolk County Council to make this possible. Electric buses are already transforming travel in Norwich, delivering smoother, quieter journeys while helping to cut emissions, and this next phase extends those benefits to even more communities.”
Marlow concludes: “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.”
To support the new vehicles, the Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth will be upgraded to charge 10 electric buses operating on Service 8, connecting James Paget Hospital to Caister via the town centre. In Norwich, the Vulcan Road depot will be fitted to support 14 electric buses across routes 28, 36, 37 and 38, linking Thorpe Marriott, Horsford, Mulbarton and Ives Road with Norwich city centre.
Construction work at Caister Road depot will begin later this year, with all 24 new vehicles expected to be in service by Autumn 2026.
Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: “This is a landmark moment for public transport in Norfolk. We’ve been working closely with operators to support their electrification plans, and I’m delighted that our partnership with First Bus has secured this significant investment for Norfolk.
“We know from feedback that passengers in Norwich are already enjoying the benefits that come with travelling on an electric vehicle – and now even more people will get to enjoy the enhanced passenger experience with these new buses operating in Great Yarmouth and on routes out to Mulbarton and Horsford.”