After First Bus East of England completed work on its first full depot electrification, JAMES DAY spoke to Managing Director Piers Marlow, who outlined how the operation is seeing positive developments across its whole business
In March, First Bus East of England completed work to transform its Roundtree Way depot in Norwich to full electric operation. With the assistance of ZERBA funding, a fleet of 70 Wrightbus electric vehicles were acquired. The bulk of this fleet has been in service since February and March, with the most recent arrivals entering service in May. It’s the latest step as part of a wider mission at First Bus to have a net zero fleet by 2035. The other First depot in Norwich, Vulcan Road, is another target for electrification in the future, if funding can be secured, while Basildon elsewhere in the First Bus East of England business is expecting 55 electric buses soon.
The First Bus East of England entity was formed as part of a restructure of local business units around 20 months ago, where First Eastern Counties, which covered Norfolk and Suffolk, combined with First Bus’ operations in Essex.
Those were later joined by the Ensignbus business acquired by First Bus on March 9, 202…
