Up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs could be supported because of the decision by bus operator Go Ahead to invest £500m investment to decarbonise its fleet, which operates in areas including East Yorkshire.
The investment is set to fund Northern Ireland manufacturer Wrightbus building up to 1,200 new zero emission buses over the next three years for operator Go Ahead.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is to create a new UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel, bringing together industry experts and local leaders to explore ways to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing, help local authorities deliver on their transport ambitions, and begin to seize opportunities to embrace zero emission transport technologies.
She said: “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.”The Transport Secretary will also announce plans to create a new UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel. This panel will bring together industry experts and local leaders to explore ways to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing, help local authorities to deliver on their transport ambitions, and begin to seize opportunities to embrace zero emission transport technologies.
Go-Ahead Bus CEO Matt Carney said: “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.”
