People in Norwich and across Norfolk will enjoy greener, cleaner journeys as an extra 55 British-made electric buses are rolled out thanks to £11.5 million in Government investment.
The latest investment announced today (Thursday 2 March) means that the First Bus Norwich depot will operate fully electric fleets by March 2024, one of the first bus depots in the UK outside London to reach this milestone. This will bring the total electric bus fleet in Norfolk to 70.
The funding comes from an extra £25.3 million rolled out nationwide to pave the way for the Government’s ambitious rollout of zero emission buses (ZEBs).
The funding is an additional investment from the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, which was launched in 2021 to allow local transport authorities to bid for funding for zero emission buses and supporting infrastructure.
The move brings total Government funding from the ZEBRA scheme to almost £300 million for up to 1,395 zero emission buses in England, taking the vision of a net zero transport network one step closer to reality.
Roads Minister Richard Holden said:
“Buses are the most popular form of public transport, and these new British-built zero emission buses will help clean up the air in communities across Norfolk.
“We’re providing an additional £11.5 million to roll out 55 new electric buses to provide residents in Norwich and across Norfolk with better, cleaner and quieter journeys, as we step up a gear to reach net zero faster and level up transport across the country.”
Zero-emission buses are also often cheaper to run, improving the economics for bus operators. All these additional buses funded through the ZEBRA scheme are battery electric.
Janette Bell, Managing Director at First Bus said:
“We are delighted to be accelerating investment in the electrification of our bus fleet and infrastructure, supported by co-funding from the Department for Transport.
“As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the Government’s ambitions for a net-zero carbon transport system. We are rapidly transforming our business with zero emission bus fleets and will continue to work closely with central and local government across the UK to deliver our decarbonisation plans.”
The move is part of the Government’s wider £3 billion National Bus Strategy to significantly improve bus services, with lower and simpler fares, more integrated ticketing and higher frequencies.
Norfolk County Council Cabinet member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport Graham Plant said:
“Being awarded this funding is an extraordinary boost for Norfolk and will greatly support our ambitions to run a net-zero transport system. This amount of funding means that Norwich will have one of the biggest full electric bus depots in England – something I am extremely proud of.
“The support that First bus has shown for this demonstrates the excellent working relationship we have with our bus operators here in Norfolk and how working together to gain support from Government can help to achieve the very best for our County.”
