Leicester City Council said it is on course to operate 240 electric buses across its public transport network by March 2027, marking a further expansion of its zero-emission fleet backed by government support and private investment from bus operators.
The city currently runs 180 electric buses and has ordered an additional 60 vehicles, which are due to enter service from September 2026. The latest phase includes more than £8 million in government funding alongside £18 million from operators Arriva and Centrebus. Leicester City Council said the combined funding brings total investment in the city’s electric bus programme to about £100 million over the past four years.
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While the council has not disclosed the bus models included in the new order, it confirmed that Arriva and Centrebus will operate the vehicles. Arriva will run 56 of the new buses, reflecting its £17 million contribution, while Centrebus will operate four buses after investing £1 million.
The expansion forms part of the Leicester Buses Enhanced Partnership Scheme, which aims to modernise public transport through fleet electrification, digital ticketing, improved service reliability and frequency, and the introduction of dedicated bus lanes. The council has also overseen a £13.5 million redevelopment of St Margaret’s bus station, which it describes as the UK’s first carbon-neutral bus station.
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“Electric buses offer smoother, quieter and greener journeys for people across the country, so I’m delighted to see that Leicester City Council, backed by £8 million in Government funding, is continuing their tremendous work and rolling them out across the whole of their network,” said Simon Lightwood, the UK’s Roads and Buses Minister.
Arriva said the investment would significantly expand its zero-emission operations in the city. “This circa £17m investment by Arriva in a further 56 UK-built, electric buses will more than double our zero-emission fleet in Leicester, and helps shape a future where people choose to leave their cars at home with less congestion on our roads, and cleaner air for the next generation,” said Toby France, head of commercial at Arriva Midlands.
