Bus operator Go-Ahead announced it is investing 500 million GBP in decarbonising its fleet.
As part of this investment, it said it would be creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with bus manufacturer Wrightbus. The 500 million GBP is to fund the manufacture of up to 1,200 electric buses over the next three years, progressing the transition away from diesel buses Go-Ahead operates across the country, including locations such as Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London and the Isle of Wight.
Go-Ahead estimates that this investment will directly support 500 manufacturing jobs at Wrightbus, as well as support a further 2,000 jobs across the wider UK supply chain by 2026.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh joined Go-Ahead and Wrightbus for the announcement.
RT Honourable Louise Haigh MP said:The number one mission of this government is growing the economy. The half a billion pounds Go Ahead is announcing today shows the confidence industry has in investing in the UK. 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.
Go-Ahead Bus’s CEO Matt Carney said the investment in and partnership with Wrightbus would accelerate the transition to a ‘zero-emission’ fleet across the UK.
Matt Carney further said: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.
CEO of Wrightbus, Jean-Marc Gales said he was “heartened to hear the government reaffirm its commitment to a green transport sector”.
The deal with Go-Ahead is hugely significant and represents a huge boost to the UK’s economy. It will support homegrown manufacturing, jobs and skills for the next three years and beyond.
Go-Ahead this month completed its roll-out of 104 electric buses in Oxford.
