Bus operator Go-Ahead has unveiled plans to invest a staggering £500 million in constructing hundreds of electric buses manufactured in the UK to help decarbonise its fleet. The significant investment by the firm is anticipated to generate 500 manufacturing jobs and establish a dedicated manufacturing line in collaboration with Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus. The initiative aims to fund the production of up to 1,200 new zero-emission buses over the next three years, thereby accelerating the shift towards greener transportation in regions such as Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London, and the Isle of Wight.
According to the Department for Transport (DfT), this investment will also contribute to creating an additional 2,000 jobs throughout the wider UK supply chain by 2026. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is scheduled to convene with industry leaders to reinforce the Government’s commitment to decarbonising local transport, supporting job creation and fostering an environment conducive to investing in UK manufacturing, as per the DfT. Furthermore, plans are underway for the Transport Secretary to establish a new UK bus manufacturing expert panel to facilitate discussions among industry experts and local leaders on strategies for fulfilling their transport objectives and embracing green transport technologies.
In the following week, Ms. Haigh is slated to host several bilateral meetings with global business leaders during the Labour government’s inaugural international investment summit to attract investments to the UK’s transport sector. Ms. Haigh expressed, “The number one mission of this Government is growing the economy. The half-a-billion pounds investment by Go-Ahead announced today demonstrates the confidence the industry has in investing in the UK.” She highlighted that this announcement will benefit communities across the country by providing new, state-of-the-art green buses that will enhance air quality and travel experiences, supporting job retention and hastening the decarbonisation of the transportation sector.
These recent announcements align with broader Government initiatives to enhance bus services and deliver more environmentally friendly transportation options. The forthcoming Buses Bill, due to be introduced in Parliament by the year-end, aims to enhance bus services nationwide. Go-Ahead and Wrightbus have pledged to plant 10 trees for every vehicle they manufacture in the towns and cities where the buses are deployed, as shared by the DfT.
The chief executive of Go-Ahead Bus, Matt Carney, expressed pride in the multi-million-pound investment and partnership with WrightBus, affirming that this collaboration will expedite the transition to a zero-emission fleet throughout the UK. Carney further stated, “We are proud to work alongside the UK Government and local authorities to drive transformative environmental change for communities, whilst also supporting UK employment and bolstering the growth of the national supply chain.”