Green Transport, skilled work, and stronger UK manufacturing were on the agenda at the Westminster Conference to accelerate more opportunities across the UK region.
The fifth meeting of the UK Bus Manufacturing Experts Panel focused on adopting more green transport, including zero-emission buses, providing UK manufacturers with the long-term certainty they need for investment and growth.
The panel also committed to ensuring that new zero-emission buses bring true social benefits to the communities they serve and work to support local employment, sustainability and inclusion.
The meeting was chaired by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, and attendees from the mayor, including David Skys (York and North Yorkshire), Richard Parker (West Midland) and Steve Rotherham (Liverpool), along with Scottish office Kirsch McNeill and Scottish Government Minister Fiona Hislop.
Accelerating the UK’s Green Transport Supply Chain
The panel’s first meeting took place in Sheffield earlier this year, set out to ensure that the UK is the leader of the busville, while still helping local authorities deliver their transport ambitions.
The government is working closely with local governments to continue to support the UK supply chain, providing reliable green transport for passengers.
Currently, around 60% of zero-emission buses funded through the government’s Zebra (Zero-emission Bus Area Area) programme are built by UK-based manufacturers, and the panel is working to assist manufacturers in assuming these new contracts.
“By mapping future demand, we are giving the industry the certainty they need to grow. We support our work, provide better buses for passengers, and provide plans for change while accelerating our journey to a more environmentally friendly transport system.
More zero-emission buses have been deployed in all parts of the UK
The UK’s commitment to Green Transport will track £38 million in funding to deliver 319 new zero-emission buses to 12 UK cities by spring 2027, with each pound’s funding coinciding with a private investment of at least £3.
The largest beneficiaries included:
Nottinghamshire County Council has benefited from £2.3 million and has received nearly £20 million to provide 42 new electric Bashull city councils to launch 42 new electric Bashull city councils, receiving nearly £20 million on 160 buses.
The UK government recently allocated an additional £28 million to provide new zero-emission buses to Sheffield and Bradford, improving air quality for major city centre routes.
Transportation management for local governments
The push for cleaner bus trips is supported by the ongoing bus services bill through Congress.
The bill will allow local governments to control how services are planned and delivered to local governments, while also introducing new authority to end the use of new diesel buses in the UK from before 2030.
Jason Prince, director of Urban Transport Group, concluded:
“The government, operators and our members will help realize these benefits for passengers and their communities by working together through our manufacturing panels to fully organize the possibilities of greener buses.”
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