Ministers and metro mayors have pledged fresh support for British bus manufacturing, job creation and greener transport following a key summit in Westminster.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander chaired the fifth meeting of the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel on 28 July, joined by Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood and mayors including Richard Parker (West Midlands), Steve Rotheram (Liverpool) and David Skaith (York and North Yorkshire). The panel agreed to build a 10-year pipeline of zero-emission bus orders to give UK manufacturers long-term confidence to invest and grow.
60% of buses built in Britain
Currently, around 60% of government-funded zero-emission buses are built in the UK under the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) scheme. The government and panel members reaffirmed their commitment to keeping investment and jobs within British supply chains.
Backed by funding and legislation
Nearly £38 million was announced earlier this year to deliver 319 green buses across 12 English cities by 2027, with each public pound matched by at least £3 in private investment. Major allocations include £20 million to the West of England, £3.9 million to Hull, and £2.3 million to Nottinghamshire.
A further £28 million has been earmarked for new zero-emission fleets in Sheffield and Bradford. The push is also backed by the Bus Services Bill, now before Parliament, which will give councils more power to shape local transport and ban new diesel buses from 2030.
A national mission for clean travel
Alexander said: “By mapping out future demand, we’re giving industry the certainty they need to grow – supporting jobs, delivering better buses for passengers, and accelerating our journey towards a cleaner, greener transport system.”
Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, added: “Investing in greener, cleaner buses is good for our transport systems, our health and the economy.”
