Leicester electric bus fleet to reach 240 units with final 60 vehicles

Leicester City Council states it is on track to deliver a fully electric bus network, with 60 additional zero-emission buses entering service from September 2026.

The new vehicles will bring the city’s electric bus fleet to 240 units, with full deployment expected by March 2027. The expansion is supported by £8 million in Government funding, with local operators Arriva and Centrebus contributing a further £18 million, taking the total value of the latest phase to £26 million.

With this funding round, overall investment in Leicester’s electric bus programme over the past four years has reached £100 million. Arriva will operate 56 of the new buses, while Centrebus will introduce four vehicles into service.

The council estimates that the additional buses will reduce Leicester’s carbon emissions by more than 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, alongside reductions of over 1,000 kilograms of NO₂. The fleet transition complements wider measures, including bus priority schemes on key corridors and the £13.5 million redevelopment of St Margaret’s bus station, described as the UK’s first carbon-neutral bus station.

The programme is delivered through the Leicester Buses Enhanced Partnership Scheme, which also covers digital ticketing, service reliability improvements, and traffic management measures designed to prioritise public transport across the city.

Toby France, Head of Commercial at Arriva Midlands, said:  “This circa £17m investment by Arriva in a further 56 UK-built, electric buses will more than double our zero-emission fleet in Leicester, and helps shape a future where people choose to leave their cars at home with less congestion on our roads, and cleaner air for the next generation”.

David Brookes, Centrebus Managing Director said: “This project reflects a significant financial investment from both Centrebus and Leicester City Council, enabling the next phase of electric buses in the city.  As part of the Leicester Buses Partnership, we share the council’s commitment to cleaner, greener travel and we’re pleased to contribute to reducing emissions and improving journeys for local residents.”