The government has announced part-funding of 484 new zero-emission buses via a £73.2m package for councils and combined authorities in England. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is the biggest recipient with £33.42m going towards 186 battery-electric buses in Sheffield, as it prepares to franchise the county’s bus network, says Route One.,
Meanwhile, £11m will support Tees Valley Combined Authority’s (TVCA) introduction of 82 electric buses and the electrification of two depots, and Liverpool City Region, which is also working towards bus franchising, benefits from £7m for 36 zero-emission buses.
Reading Borough Council (£3m), West Northamptonshire Council (£2.2m), North East Combined Authority (£3.6m), Isle of Wight Council (£3.6m), Devon County Council (£7.5m), Surrey County Council (£0.5m) and Nottinghamshire (£1m) are the other benefactors.
The government funding will be supplemented by £94m of investment from operators, authorities and councils.
Most of the funding is via expansions of existing Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas projects.
SYMCA will contribute £59.28m towards purchase of the vehicles and £25.99m for supporting infrastructure, which includes the upgrading of Olive Grove depot with charging facilities.
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander, who visited Sheffield yesterday to make the announcement, says:
“Buses are the backbone of our public transport system, and Sheffield’s passengers deserve a network of well-connected, affordable routes, that they can rely on.
“This funding will replace polluting diesel buses with new electric vehicles that will make a real difference to people’s daily lives, better connecting them to work, to healthcare and to opportunity, whilst cleaning up the air we all breathe.
“But this is about more than new buses. It’s about cleaner air for children walking to school and reliable connections for people getting about their daily lives, and I’m proud to back South Yorkshire’s ambition to deliver exactly that.”
Sheffield, along with Doncaster, will be the first areas to be reformed when SYMCA begins the roll-out of bus franchising in September 2027.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, says:
“Public transport in South Yorkshire used to be world-class. But our buses have been broken for too long.
“Now, we’re getting on with the job of delivering the promise of a bigger, better transport network, starting with our huge ambition for better buses.
“Today’s investment means we can get on with the job even faster. Upgrading Olive Grove to a fully electric depot and bringing almost 200 new zero‑emission buses into service is a huge step forward for South Yorkshire. It means cleaner air, more reliable buses and a much better experience for people.
“This is exactly the kind of practical, everyday progress we can deliver through bus franchising. Taking back control, putting people first and building a transport system that works for South Yorkshire.”
(Picture: DfT)
