Work Starts to Bring Electric Buses to Basildon
First Bus has officially started work at its Basildon Bus Depot as part of a major initiative to introduce 55 electric buses to the area, funded through a partnership with Essex County Council.
This landmark project, supported by a £4.8 million grant from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA 2) scheme, is further bolstered by a £25.8 million investment from First Bus.
The combined £30.6 million funding will enable the purchase of 55 electric buses and the transformation of the Basildon depot into a fully electric-ready facility.
This initiative, designed to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, is a vital part of Essex’s ongoing commitment to greener, more sustainable transportation. The buses will be serving customers and communities across South Essex from late next year.
To mark the start of works, the depot was visited by Councillor Mark Platt, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, Councillor Jeff Henry, Essex County Councillor for Laindon Park and Fryerns, and Helen Morris, Head of Integrated Passenger Transport Unit at Essex County Council.
The group were able to see plans for the transformation of the depot, as well as take a ride on one of the state of the art electric buses.
Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First Bus East of England, said: “We’re excited that work has begun at our Basildon depot, transforming it into the operational centre for 55 brand-new, fully electric vehicles.
“These quiet, modern, zero-emissions buses are fantastic news for our customers and will mean better air quality for Basildon. We look forward to having them out on the road serving customers by the end of 2025.
“I’d like to thank Cllr Platt, Cllr Henry and Helen Morris for taking the time to visit us, it was a great opportunity to share the plans for the depot, and for them to experience one of the new electric vehicles for themselves.”
Councillor Mark Platt, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said: “The new Basildon Bus Depot will be a game changer for sustainable transport across the borough.
“It was great to have toured the site which will soon be home to a whopping 55 electric buses. I got a chance to view the designs of the bus station, which look impressive, and meet some of the workers.
“Funding from First Bus, Essex County Council and the Department for Transport will help bring new technology to the transport network and transform how local residents can travel more sustainably in Basildon.”
The conversion of Basildon to electric is an important milestone in First Bus’ journey to operating a zero-emission bus fleet across the UK by 2035.