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.
To be eligible, passengers can either wear their military uniform or show the bus driver their service ID card on Remembrance Sunday (10th November) and Armistice Day (Monday 11th November).
The free travel offer is being made available to make it as easy as possible for customers to get to and from remembrance services and events, and is also available on First Bus services across England, Wales and Scotland.
To be eligible, passengers can either wear their military uniform or show the bus driver their service ID card on Remembrance Sunday (10th November) and Armistice Day (Monday 11th November).
The free travel offer is being made available to make it as easy as possible for customers to get to and from remembrance services and events, and is also available on First Bus services across England, Wales and Scotland.
The trail, set to launch in the summer of 2025, will feature five new animal sculptures, including lions, gorillas, giraffes, elephants, and rhinos, designed by local artists and displayed across the county.
The GoGo sculpture trails, which debuted in 2013, have become a beloved tradition, drawing in locals and visitors alike to discover unique art installations while supporting Break’s vital work with young people from care. Operating across East Anglia, Break gives young people living in care or moving on from care the love, support and ambition they deserve.
Changes include an increase in peak frequency on the popular Number 8 route from Slough to Heathrow, as well as the addition of an early morning journey at 5.36am on Mon-Fri to help workers on early shifts.
The upcoming network changes have been designed to improve punctuality on the bus network, helping passengers' journeys and keeping Berkshire moving. They also take into account customer and driver feedback, making the most of local knowledge and expertise, to provide the most efficient bus services in Berkshire.
First Beeline changes:
RailAir has announced fare changes for its RA1 (Reading-Heathrow), RA2 (Guildford and Woking - Heathrow, and RA3 (Watford- Heathrow) services.
The popular RailAir coach services carry more than 440,000 passengers a year, linking key locations across the South East to Heathrow Airport.
The majority of RailAir fares have remained unchanged for the last five years, and while some fares will rise to reflect rising inflationary pressures, the range of tickets will be simplified, including new ticket options to reflect customer needs.
Created using feedback from bus users, as well as First Wessex drivers, the changes include the retiming of the morning service for Weymouth College students, with the first journey from Beaminster timed to help students connect at Bridport.
In partnership with Dorset Council, the trial diversion of the X51 to serve Martinstown and Winterbourne Steepleton will also continue during the winter season. Passenger numbers will continue to be reviewed to assess the route’s long-term viability.
In partnership Portsmouth Council, First Solent buses have created a dedicated Park & Ride service – the PR4 - for participants, spectators, and supporters. To get runners into the city, the PR4 service will run direct, throughout the weekend from the Portsmouth P&R site at Tipner, to Clarence Pier in Southsea.
On both days, the bus operator will give free bus travel across its routes in Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall to the Armed Forces community - serving troops, veterans, and cadets.
First Bus South operates First Solent, First Wessex, Buses of Somerset, Cornwall by Kernow, and Beeline routes, which will all provide free travel for forces veterans to attend commemorative events to remember the service and sacrifice of their comrades.