en.Wedoany.com Reported - Norfolk County Council, in partnership with First Bus, has completed a £13.8 million investment to upgrade bus services in Great Yarmouth, with 10 new electric double-decker buses now in service and new charging infrastructure at the depot officially unveiled.
The investment comprises £8.9 million from First Bus, with the remaining funding provided by Norfolk County Council through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The partnership aims to deliver quieter, smoother, and more reliable journeys for passengers while modernizing the infrastructure supporting the local bus network.
During a site visit, representatives including Cllr Joseph Kerrison, Norfolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, and Cllr Daniel McGrath, local councillor for Caister South and Burgh, toured the depot, inspected the new charging facilities, and traveled across Great Yarmouth on one of the new Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner buses. The new vehicles primarily serve Route 8, connecting Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, and James Paget University Hospital, linking local communities with employment, healthcare, education, and other essential services.
Cllr Joseph Kerrison, Norfolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, stated that this investment marks another significant milestone in the journey to provide better bus services for Norfolk residents and visitors. By working closely with First Bus, they are making bus travel more reliable, convenient, and attractive, while setting a benchmark for successful partnerships between local government and operators.
David Mitchell, Service Delivery Director at First Bus East, expressed delight in welcoming colleagues from Norfolk County Council to Great Yarmouth to showcase the investments made in the depot and fleet. These new buses represent far more than new vehicles; they are an investment in passengers, colleagues, and the future of public transport in Norfolk. The project is an excellent example of what can be achieved through collaboration between bus operators and local government, combining public and private investment to deliver tangible improvements for local communities.
The investment also supports local employment and skills development. The Great Yarmouth depot currently employs 156 people, including engineering apprentices who are developing the specialized 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. In addition to investing in new vehicles, this supports bus priority measures, infrastructure upgrades, and initiatives aimed at enhancing reliability, accessibility, and the overall customer experience.
