Join 'the buzz' around Basildon's new electric bus fleet

This Friday, residents are invited to sneak a peak of the new zero tailpipe emissions buses ahead of 55 electric buses taking to routes serving Basildon and neighbouring areas.  

First Bus in the East of England and Essex County Council invite everyone to join them for an exclusive early preview of one of these cutting-edge zero tailpipe emission buses at Mother & Child Fountain, E Walk, Basildon from 10:00-15:00 on Friday 31 October.  

In partnership with Essex County Council, First Bus in the East of England is rolling out brand new, state of the art electric buses (EVs). The partnership is backed by £4.8 million from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) 2 scheme, alongside a £25.8 million investment from First Bus. By the end of the year, all 55 zero tailpipe emission vehicles will be on the road serving routes in Basildon as well as nearby destinations such as Chelmsford, Lakeside, and Southend.   

The new fleet will improve links across the region, in addition to benefitting passengers with zero tailpipe emissions, quieter and more modern vehicles, and improved air quality.  

The initiative also contributes to Essex County Council and Basildon Borough Council’s climate ambitions and supports First Bus’s pledge to operate a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. 

Simon Mathieson, Managing Director of First Bus in the East of England, said: “We’re excited for our customers in Basildon to experience these fantastic new buses. This investment shows our strong commitment to our passengers and bus services in Essex, and we’re proud to be delivering cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable journeys for thousands of passengers in Basildon and its surrounding areas.   

Councillor Mark Platt, Essex County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “We’re hugely excited to see the first electric buses enter service in Basildon. The new fleet will be a gamer changer for sustainable transport across the borough. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the new buses in action!” 

Attendees on the day will be able to meet with the First Bus team to discuss the routes and the bus and will receive a flyer which includes a QR code for a free bus journey.