The UK government and bus operator have announced a £500 million investment to manufacture 1,200 zero-emission buses, marking a significant step in the transition to greener public transport
Over the next three years, these UK-made buses will be deployed across several regions, including Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London, and the Isle of Wight, offering communities cleaner and more environmentally friendly transport options.
Driving green growth
This investment not only speeds up decarbonisation in the public transport sector but also provides a strong boost to the UK economy. It will directly support 500 new jobs at Wrightbus, the Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer tasked with building the buses, and an additional 2,000 jobs across the UK supply chain by 2026.
The investment will also create a new manufacturing line, further strengthening the UK’s position as a leader in zero-emission bus production.
Tree planting initiative
In addition to job creation and green technology adoption, Go Ahead and Wrightbus have committed to a tree-planting initiative. For every bus produced, 10 trees will be planted in the towns and cities where the buses operate, helping to further reduce the carbon footprint.
The investment is being announced just ahead of the International Investment Summit, where UK leaders, investors, and global businesses will come together to explore opportunities for growth.
The summit will focus on attracting international investments to boost the economy and support key sectors like transport. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh will meet with industry leaders, including Wrightbus executives, to reaffirm the government’s commitment to decarbonising local transport and promoting an attractive environment for business investment.
Sustainable economic growth
The government is set to establish a UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel to bring together industry experts and local authorities. This panel will explore ways to ensure the UK remains a global leader in bus manufacturing, while helping local governments achieve their transport goals through greener, zero-emission solutions.
This investment is not just about improving public transport but also driving sustainable economic growth by creating jobs, promoting green technologies, and attracting further international investment into the UK’s transport and manufacturing sectors.
