Basildon has gone electric!

We've charged up to change Basildon with brand new zero-emission electric buses.

The new buses give a significant boost to the town's sustainability credentials and passengers and residents will benefit from zero tailpipe emissions, quieter and more modern vehicles, and improved air quality.

To fund the purchase of the vehicles, First Bus and Essex County Council secured an investment of £4.8m from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 scheme alongside a £25.8m investment from First Bus.

To find out more, click here to read our full press-release.


Your new electric buses...

  • Have a range of over 300 miles
  • Can charge in as little as 3 hours
  • Produce no tailpipe emissions
  • Cost around £400,000 each
  • Have climate control to keep you warm in winter, and cool in the summer
  • Save 110 tons of Co2 per day


Your Basildon electric routes...

25 to Southend via Wickford, Rayleigh & Eastwood

100 to Lakeside via Stanford-le-Hope & Grays

200 to Grays via Stanford-le-Hope & Tilbury

300 to Chelmsford via Billericay, Stock & Galleywood

and town services B1, B2, B3, B4, B5

image of a map showing the First Bus network in Basildon


Your Basildon fares...

Single fares in Basildon are distance based, with adult prices starting at £2 for adults, and £1.50 for children. You can find full details in the table below.

Distance (miles) Adult Single Child Single
up to 0.5 miles £2.00 £1.50
0.5 to 2 miles £2.50 £1.90
2-3 miles £3.00 £2.30
3-5 miles £3.00 £2.70
5+ miles £3.00 £3.00

Zero Emission Mission

First Bus is one of the UK’s largest bus operators and is part of First Group, the first bus and rail operator in the UK to formally commit to setting an ambitious science-based target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. We work proactively with our local authority partners, making a positive impact on air quality, tackling congestion, improving customer experience and benefitting communities. We are focused on First Bus becoming a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future and are committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. We have also pledged not to purchase any new diesel buses since December 2022.