- Transport Secretary, the Local Transport Minister, and Metro
Mayors come together for UK
bus manufacturing stocktake, promising to support highly skilled
jobs that deliver the Plan for Change.
- plans advanced to ensure a 10-year pipeline of zero-emission
bus orders, with around 60% of zero-emission buses funded by
government currently being built by
UK-based manufacturers.
- comes as the Bus Services Bill progresses through Parliament,
with the government continuing to drive growth in the industries
of the future and put passengers back at the heart of services
Greener journeys, skilled jobs and stronger UK manufacturing were all on the
agenda today (28 July 2025), 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 , and Local Transport
Minister , with wider attendance
from mayors including (York and North Yorkshire),
(West Midlands), and (Liverpool), alongside
Scotland Office Minister and the Scottish
Government's Transport Minister, .
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.
Attendees also committed to ensuring that every pound of public
money spent on zero emission buses provides the greatest social
benefits for communities and the economy.
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.
Transport Secretary , said:
It was great to bring mayors together today for the fifth meeting
of the bus manufacturing expert panel, where we committed to
building a strong pipeline of future zero-emission bus orders.
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, while delivering our 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.
Among the biggest beneficiaries were:
- Nottinghamshire County Council, who are benefitting from £2.3
million to launch 42 new electric buses
- Hull City Council, where £3.9 million has been allocated to
provide 42 vehicles
- West of England Combined Authority, who are receiving nearly
£20 million for 160 buses
The UK government has also
recently allocated a further £28 million to deliver new zero
emission buses in Sheffield and Bradford, to improve air quality
on key city centre routes.
The push for cleaner bus travel is also supported by the Bus
Services Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament.
The Bill will give local authorities
more control over how services are planned and delivered,
while introducing new powers to end the use of new diesel buses
in England from no earlier than 2030.
Jason Prince, Director, Urban Transport Group, said:
Investing in buses, especially greener, cleaner buses is good for
our transport systems, our health and the economy. Government,
operators and our members, working together through the
manufacturing panel to unlock the full potential of greener buses
will help realise these benefits for passengers and their local
communities.
