Nottingham Expands Electric Bus Routes, Enhancing Travel Experience
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has announced a significant expansion of its electric bus routes, introducing 24 new zero-emission buses in early 2025. This expansion will cover popular travel areas such as Clifton, Ruddington, Meadows, Basford, Bulwell, Mapperley, Lambley, Woodborough, and West Bridgford.
The first fleet of electric buses, operational since April, has already covered 250,000 zero-emission kilometers and carried over 750,000 passengers. With plans to make every single-deck bus in the fleet electric within the next 18 months, NCT aims to revolutionize public transport in Nottingham, significantly benefiting both local commuters and travelers.
Currently, 24 out of 62 buses in the NCT fleet are electric, with an additional 24 expected in early 2025 and another 14 in 2026. The Yutong electric single-deck buses, which have already prevented the emission of 225.3 tonnes of CO2e, are expected to save 3,800 tonnes of CO2e annually once fully implemented.
Travelers visiting Nottingham can look forward to a more eco-friendly and comfortable journey. The new electric buses, set to operate on routes Navy 3/A, 48; Green 5, 7, 8, 9; Sky Blue 46, 47; and Yellow 70, 71, offer a host of features designed to enhance the travel experience. These include air conditioning, extra legroom, larger buggy bays, USB-C charging points, and improved visual and hearing accessibility.
The buses have proven their reliability, completing full-day services on a single overnight charge, with the charging infrastructure managed by Zenobē. This ensures a seamless travel experience for passengers, including tourists exploring the city's various attractions.
Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT’s Head of Marketing and Projects, highlighted the positive feedback from passengers regarding the new electric buses' features and comfort. He expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing collaboration with Nottingham City Council, Zenobē, and Yutong to support Nottingham’s goal of becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2028.
The £30 million investment in the electric bus project includes £12.3 million from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) Fund, secured by Nottingham City Council, with the remaining £17.7 million invested by NCT.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Nottingham City Council’s Executive Member for Transport, praised the new electric buses' impact on passenger experience and environmental quality. She emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving Nottingham's carbon-neutral ambitions and expressed eagerness to work with the new Mayor and the Department for Transport to further electrify the city's bus fleet.
For travelers, this expansion means a greener, quieter, and more comfortable way to explore Nottingham, contributing to a sustainable future while enjoying the city's rich heritage and vibrant culture.