Norfolk County Council representatives have visited First Bus’s Great Yarmouth depot to see first-hand a £13.8 million investment that is transforming bus services across the town.
The visit showcased 10 new electric double-deck buses now in service, alongside the depot’s new charging infrastructure, delivered through a partnership between First Bus and Norfolk County Council.
First Bus contributed £8.9 million to the project, with the remainder funded through Norfolk County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
Together, the investment is helping deliver quieter, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers while modernising the infrastructure that supports the local bus network.
During the visit, representatives from Norfolk County Council including Cllr Joseph Kerrison, deputy cabinet member for highways and transport and Cllr Daniel McGrath local member for South Caister and Bure toured the depot, viewed the new charging facilities, met colleagues and experienced one of the new Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner buses on a journey through Great Yarmouth.
Cllr Joseph Kerrison, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Norfolk County Council, said:
“This investment is another major milestone in our journey to deliver better bus services for residents and visitors across Norfolk. By working closely with First Bus, we are making bus travel more reliable, accessible and appealing, while setting a benchmark for what a successful partnership between local government and operators can achieve.”
The new buses operate primarily on Service 8, linking Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and the James Paget University Hospital, connecting local communities with employment, healthcare, education and other essential services.
David Mitchell, Service Delivery Director for First Bus East, said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome colleagues from Norfolk County Council to Great Yarmouth and showcase the investment we’ve made in both our depot and our fleet.
“These new buses represent much more than new vehicles. They’re an investment in our passengers, our colleagues and the future of public transport in Norfolk. Customers are already benefiting from quieter, smoother and more comfortable journeys, while our upgraded depot gives us the infrastructure we need to support reliable services for years to come.
“This project is another excellent example of what can be achieved when bus operators and local authorities work in partnership. By combining public and private investment, we’re delivering real improvements for local communities, and we’re proud to be continuing that journey with Norfolk County Council.”
The investment also supports local employment and skills development. Great Yarmouth depot employs 156 people, including engineering apprentices who are developing the specialist skills needed to maintain the latest generation of electric buses.
The visit highlighted the long-standing partnership between First Bus and Norfolk County Council, with collaboration through the Bus Service Improvement Plan continuing to deliver improvements for passengers across the county. Alongside investment in new vehicles, the partnership has supported bus priority measures, infrastructure upgrades and initiatives to improve reliability, accessibility and the overall customer experience.
(Picture: First Bus)
