First Bus electric fleet in Norfolk reaches 100 as 14 more buses arrive in Norwich
The new double-deckers will serve routes linking Thorpe Marriott, Hellesdon and Mulbarton with the city centre
Fourteen more electric double-decker buses are being introduced in Norwich, taking the number of electric buses in First Bus's Norfolk fleet to 100.
First Bus said the new vehicles bring cleaner air from zero tailpipe emissions and quieter streets to new areas of the city.
The company said the electric buses now make up more than 60 per cent of its fleet in Norfolk.
Where the new buses will run
First Bus said the 14 new buses will run on routes 28, 37, 38 and 38A.
The routes link Thorpe Marriott, Drayton Road, Hellesdon and Mulbarton with Norwich city centre.
The company said there are already 76 electric buses operating from its Rowntree Way depot in Norwich and 10 in Great Yarmouth.
The £13.8 million investment
First Bus said the buses are the latest phase of a £13.8 million joint investment with Norfolk County Council.
The company said the money is made up of £8.9 million from First Bus and a grant from Norfolk's Bus Service Improvement Plan.
It said the investment includes an upgrade to its satellite depot on Vulcan Road in Norwich, which now has charging points.
What the companies said
Simon Mathieson, Regional Director of First Bus in the East and Midlands, said: "We're really pleased that more people across Norwich will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of electric buses, and we're proud to be working with Norfolk County Council to make this possible.
"Electric buses are transforming travel in Norwich and across the region, delivering smoother, quieter journeys while helping to cut emissions, and this latest phase extends those benefits to even more communities."
Councillor Joseph Kerrison, Deputy Cabinet Member for highways and transport at Norfolk County Council, said: "This latest investment is helping to deliver the reliable, high-quality bus services that people want and deserve.
"By working in partnership with First Bus, we're supporting more comfortable journeys, improving the passenger experience, and strengthening public transport links. Expanding the electric fleet to 100 vehicles is a significant milestone and demonstrates our shared commitment to investing in a modern bus network that encourages more people to choose the bus for everyday travel."
Mr Mathieson said: "This joint investment in vehicles and depot infrastructure is another important step towards a cleaner, healthier future for everyone who lives, works and travels in Norfolk. It also underpins the ambition of First Bus to achieve a fully zero-emission fleet nationally by 2035."