Work has officially begun at Basildon Bus Depot on a landmark project to introduce 55 electric buses to the area. The initiative will be funded through a partnership with Essex County Council and First Bus.
The £4.8 million grant from the Department for Transport's Zero Emission Bus Regional Area scheme and a further £35.8 million investment from First Bus will finance 55 electric buses and the transformation of the Basildon Bus Depot.
The initiative supports Essex's ongoing commitment to more sustainable travel which will serve communities across South Essex 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.
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.”
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.”
