Bus operator Go-Ahead has unveiled plans to invest a significant sum of half-a-billion pounds in constructing numerous electric buses manufactured in the UK to decarbonise its fleet. The company’s initiative is set to bolster the economy by providing support for 500 manufacturing jobs and establishing a specific manufacturing line in collaboration with Northern Ireland-based bus maker Wrightbus. The project aims to finance up to 1,200 new zero-emission buses over the next three years, aiding the transition to sustainable transport in various regions including Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London, and the Isle of Wight.
The recent announcement from the Department for Transport (DfT) highlights that this investment will not only create 500 jobs but also contribute to an extra 2,000 positions within the wider UK supply chain by 2026. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is scheduled to convene with industry leaders, such as Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford and CEO Jean-Marc Gales, to emphasise the government’s dedication to decarbonising local transport, employment support, and fostering an investment-friendly environment for UK manufacturing.
Additionally, the Transport Secretary is expected to reveal plans for an expert panel on UK bus manufacturing, aimed at bringing together industry professionals and local authorities to discuss implementing transport aspirations and embracing eco-friendly transport technologies effectively. Ms Haigh is also planning to engage in bilateral discussions with international business leaders during the Labour government’s inaugural international investment summit to attract investments to the UK’s transport sector.
Go-Ahead Bus CEO, Matt Carney, expressed pride in the multi-million-pound investment and partnership with WrightBus, emphasizing the acceleration of the transition to a zero-emission fleet throughout the UK. This endeavour aligns with the government’s broader commitment to enhancing bus services and promoting sustainable transport. The upcoming Buses Bill, anticipated to be presented in Parliament by year-end, seeks to enhance bus services nationwide. Furthermore, for every bus produced, Go-Ahead and Wrightbus have pledged to plant 10 trees in the towns and cities where the buses will operate.
In closing, this significant investment from Go-Ahead underscores the industry’s confidence in investing in the UK, fostering local job growth, and propelling the transition towards decarbonising the transportation sector. It heralds a positive step towards greener and more efficient public transport systems in the UK.