First Bus to Run 24 New Electric Double-Decker Buses in Norfolk

Post by : Meena Rani

First Bus, in partnership with Norfolk County Council, will introduce 24 new electric double-decker buses and upgrade depot infrastructure as part of a £13.8 million investment in zero-emission transport. The new vehicles are set to operate in Great Yarmouth and Norwich by Autumn 2026.

The project builds on First Bus’s ongoing efforts, including the transformation of the Norwich Roundtree Way depot into a fully electric fleet, preparing to receive 70 new electric buses, one of the UK’s first fully electric depots outside London.

Funding for the expansion includes £8.9 million from First Bus, with the remainder provided through Norfolk’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant. The 24 new buses will join 76 electric buses already in service in Norwich, further expanding access to zero-tailpipe-emission public transport across the county.

To support operations, the Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth will charge 10 electric buses serving Service 8, while the Vulcan Road depot in Norwich will accommodate 14 vehicles for routes 28, 36, 37, and 38. Construction work at Caister Road will begin later this year.

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. 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."

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure, and transport, added:

"This is a landmark moment for public transport in Norfolk. Passengers in Norwich are already enjoying the benefits of 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."

Norfolk electric buses, zero-emission transport Norfolk, First Bus e-buses