SMMT: New event to put UK’s green bus investment in fast lane

• Meet the Bus Operator created to drive green bus investment with major operators and local transport authorities meeting OEMs, suppliers, infrastructure providers and consultancies.
• First-of-its-kind event provides one-stop shop for fleet buyers to help build Britain's new zero emission bus market.
• Operators eager to update vehicles as new data shows UK has one of Europe's oldest bus fleets.

Britain's bus fleet is set for a green investment boost this Spring as a pioneering event from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) brings the country's major operators and local transport authorities together with vehicle manufacturers and other key suppliers to create new opportunities to drive the country's fast growing green bus fleet.

Meet the Bus Operator, a first-of-its-kind event organised in partnership with the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE), will bring more than 30 local transport authorities and operators together for one-to-one business meetings with zero emission vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure providers, energy solutions specialists and funding experts to help deliver green technology to passengers in every region of the UK.

The event takes place on 23 April at the inaugural Bus and Coach Expo, co-located with the Commercial Vehicle Show, organised by Nineteen Group at Birmingham's NEC.¹ It provides a one-stop shop for the heavy vehicle transport sector to build new partnerships, secure long-term growth and futureproof their business – with that future looking increasingly zero emission. Indeed, while a constrained new bus market in previous years means Britain has the fifth oldest fleet in Europe,² the sector has enjoyed sustained growth since early 2024 – with that growth now being driven by surging zero emission vehicle uptake.³

More than 1,900 new zero emission buses (ZEBs) joined UK roads between January and September last year – up by more than half (55.9%) compared with the same period in 2024, to represent more than a quarter (28.7%) of all new bus registrations.⁴ As a result, Britain has Europe's biggest new ZEB market by volume – a major success enabled by industry innovation which has provided dozens of different models, cutting-edge components, advanced infrastructure and pioneering services to support operators before, during and after their transition.

Demand is also being driven by substantial government backing, with more than £700 million in grant funding recently made available to local authorities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to drive new ZEB investment.⁵ With many major UK fleet operators committed to ambitious decarbonisation timelines, and the Bus Services Act giving local authorities greater control over services, bus decarbonisation is anticipated to accelerate – with businesses attending Meet the Bus Operator positioning themselves for success. 

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Bus decarbonisation is rapidly becoming a British success story, but we must build on that momentum to ensure more operators and passengers gain the advantages of green mobility. Manufacturers are providing the products and unlocking operator investment is now critical if the UK is to realise the significant benefits of a modernised public transport network, cleaner air, quieter streets and a better rider experience across the country.”

Stelios Rodoulis, Head of the Bus Centre of Excellence, said, "Meet the Bus Operator represents an excellent opportunity for Local Transport Authorities and operators to connect directly with Zero Emission Bus manufacturers, suppliers and service providers in a focused, practical setting. Many of our members are at different stages of their decarbonisation journey, and this event will enable them to access the expertise and solutions they need to take their next steps towards greener bus services."

Nick Davison, Event Director, Nineteen Group, said, “Meet the Bus Operator perfectly embodies what the Bus & Coach Expo is all about – bringing the right people together at exactly the right moment for our industry. Hosting this first-of-its-kind initiative allows operators, local authorities and suppliers to move beyond theory and into practical delivery, building partnerships that will shape the next generation of bus services across the UK.”

Meet the Bus Operator takes place on 23 April at Bus and Coach Expo, co-located with the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham – and is free to attend for SMMT member suppliers and operators. The deadline for supplier registrations is 6 March and can be submitted here.