In international news, UK bus operator Go Ahead has announced it will support up to 500 manufacturing jobs as part of its £500 million investment to decarbonise its fleet.
The investment includes creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnering with Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus.
The funding will see up to 1,200 new zero-emissions buses built over three years, with Go Ahead to use the buses to transition to zero-emissions operations in places like Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London and the Isle of Wight.
On top of directly supporting 500 manufacturing jobs, the investment will see Wrightbus support an additional 2,000 jobs across the wider UK supply chain by 2026.
The UK Transport Secretary is set to announce plans to create a new UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel, bringing together local leaders to explore ways the UK can remain a leader n bus manufacturing while helping local authorities deliver on their transport ambitions.
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The Secretary has met with key industry leaders like Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford and CEO Jean-Marc Gales to reaffirm its commitment to decarbonising local transport.
“The number one mission of this government is growing the economy. The half a billion pounds Go Ahead is announcing shows the confidence industry has in investing in the UK,” Transport Secretary Louise Haigh says.
“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.
“Under this government, Britain is open for business.”
For every vehicle manufactured, 10 trees will be planted by Go-Ahead and Wrightbus in the towns and cities where the buses are deployed.
“This multi-million pound investment and partnership with Wrightbus will accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleet across the UK,” Go-Ahead Bus CEO Matt Carney says.
“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.”
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