Plans involve funding up to 1,200 new zero-emission buses over the next three years to help accelerate the transition to greener transport in areas such as Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London and the Isle of Wight
Bus operator Go-Ahead has unveiled plans to invest £500m in the construction of hundreds of UK-made electric buses, in an effort to decarbonise its fleet.
The investment is anticipated to support 500 manufacturing jobs and establish a dedicated manufacturing line in partnership with Northern Ireland-based bus maker Wrightbus. The plan includes funding for up to 1,200 new zero-emission buses over the next three years, accelerating the shift towards greener transport in areas such as Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London and the Isle of Wight.
The Department for Transport (DfT) stated that this investment will also bolster an additional 2,000 jobs across the wider UK supply chain by 2026. In line with this announcement, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is scheduled to meet industry leaders on Tuesday, including Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford and chief executive Jean-Marc Gales.
She intends to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to decarbonising local transport, supporting jobs and creating a conducive environment for investment in UK manufacturing, according to the DfT. Additionally, the Transport Secretary is expected to reveal plans to form a new UK bus manufacturing expert panel on Tuesday.
The DfT said more details would be confirmed in due course, but the goal is to gather industry experts and local leaders to discuss how councils can deliver on their transport ambitions and seize opportunities to adopt green transport technologies. Next week, Ms Haigh is gearing up to engage in a series of talks with international business bigwigs at Labour’s inaugural investment conference, eyeing a cash influx for Britain’s transportation network.
She said: “The number one mission of this Government is growing the economy. The half-a-billion pounds Go-Ahead is announcing today shows the confidence industry has in investing in the UK. This announcement will see communities across the country benefit from brand new, state-of-the-art green buses – which will deliver cleaner air and better journeys.”
“We’re creating the right conditions for businesses to flourish, so we can support jobs and accelerate towards decarbonising the transport sector.”
Amid broader commitments to boost bus services and champion eco-friendly travel, the forthcoming Buses Bill is set to be introduced to Parliament before the year’s end, aimed at upgrading bus operations nationwide.
The DfT also said that for every vehicle manufactured, 10 trees would be planted by Go-Ahead and Wrightbus in the towns and cities where the buses are deployed. Go-Ahead Bus chief Matt Carney announced: “This multi-million-pound investment and partnership with WrightBus will accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleet across the UK.”
“We are proud to be working in partnership with the UK Government and local authorities to deliver transformational environmental change for communities, while supporting UK jobs and the growth of the country’s supply chain.”