Greener journeys, skilled jobs and stronger UK manufacturing were all on the agenda today as government ministers and metro mayors came together in Westminster to commit to greener transport and greater job opportunities across the regions.

The fifth meeting of the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel was chaired by the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, with wider attendance from mayors including David Skaith (York and North Yorkshire), Richard Parker (West Midlands), and Steve Rotheram (Liverpool), alongside Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill and the Scottish Government’s Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop.

The session focussed on the future pipeline of zero-emission bus orders, in order to give UK manufacturers the long-term certainty needed to invest and grow.

The panel also committed to ensuring that new zero emission buses bring real social benefits to the communities they serve, and work to support local employment, sustainability, and inclusivity.

The panel’s inaugural meeting took place in Sheffield earlier this year, and set out to ensure that the UK remains a leader in bus building while helping local authorities to deliver their transport ambitions.

The government is working closely with local authorities to ensure new bus orders continue to support the UK supply chain and deliver cleaner, more reliable transport for passengers. Currently, around 60% of zero-emission buses funded through the government’s ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) programmes are being built by UK-based manufacturers, and the panel is committed to supporting manufacturers as they undertake these new contracts, to ensure that they support regional growth and support opportunities that deliver the Plan for Change.

Earlier this year, the Government announced nearly £38 million to deliver 319 new zero emission buses across 12 cities in England by spring 2027, with each pound of funding matched by at least £3 of private investment. 

(Pic: Stagecoach)