£200m boost for UK’s zero emission bus pledge

Nearly 1000 more zero-emission buses will be funded across the country, thanks to a government investment of almost £200m.

Twelve areas in England, from Greater Manchester to Portsmouth, will receive grants from the funding package to deliver electric or hydrogen powered buses, as well as charging or fuelling infrastructure, to their region.

The scheme is predicted to remove over 57,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the country’s air, as well as 22 tonnes of nitrogen oxides on average each year.

The funding comes from the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, which was launched last year to allow local transport authorities to bid for funding to purchase zero emission buses.

This will bring the total number of zero-emission buses funded in England to 2000 so far under this government.

The government has committed to fund a total of 4,000 zero-emission buses across the country.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘I will level up and clean up our transport network. That’s why I’ve announced hundreds of millions of pounds to roll out zero emission buses nationwide.

‘Not only will this improve the experience of passengers, but it will help support our mission to fund 4,000 of these cleaner buses, reach net zero emissions by 2050 and build back greener.

‘Today’s announcement is part of our National Bus Strategy which will introduce lower fares, helping drive down the cost of public transport even further for passengers.’

The areas whose business cases were approved and will be receiving funding are: Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Portsmouth, Blackpool, Nottingham, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire, South Yorkshire, Oxfordshire, West Midlands, York and West Yorkshire.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere commented: ‘We recognise the scale of the challenge the world faces in reaching net zero. That’s why reducing emissions and creating green jobs lies at the heart of our transport agenda. 

‘Today’s multi-million-pound investment is an enormous step towards a cleaner future, helping ensure transport is fit for generations to come, and allowing millions of people to get around in a way which is kinder to our environment.’

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP