Norfolk County Council and First Bus said they will invest £13.8 million to bring 24 new electric double-decker buses into service by autumn 2025, along with upgrades to bus depots in Great Yarmouth and Norwich.
Of the total funding, £8.9 million will come from First Bus, with the remainder covered by Norfolk’s Bus Service Improvement Plan grant. The new vehicles will join the county’s existing fleet of 76 electric buses, expanding operations in key urban areas.
The Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth will be upgraded to accommodate 10 vehicles serving Service 8, linking James Paget Hospital with Caister via the town centre. Work is set to begin later this year. The Vulcan Road depot in Norwich will house 14 vehicles for routes 28, 36, 37 and 38, connecting suburbs including Thorpe Marriott, Horsford and Mulbarton with the city centre.
“This is a landmark moment for public transport in Norfolk,” said Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport. “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.”
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 many benefits of electric buses, and we’re proud to be working with Norfolk County Council to make this possible. This investment in new vehicles and depot infrastructure is another important step towards a cleaner, healthier future for everyone who lives, works and travels in Norfolk.”
