London:Millions of people across the country will be able to make greener, cleaner journeys as almost 1,000 green buses are rolled out with the backing of nearly £200 million in government funding.
Twelve areas in England, from Greater Manchester to Portsmouth, will receive grants from the multimillion-pound package to deliver electric or hydrogen powered buses, as well as charging or fuelling infrastructure, to their region.
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.
Today’s (26 March 2022) £198.3 million of funding will provide 943 buses. It builds on almost: £71 million announced last year to support up to 335 new zero emission buses in 5 areas a further £50 million funding for the UK’s first All Electric Bus City, Coventry, supporting up to 300 buses 100 buses funded by previous funding schemes, said officials.
The first orders have already been placed. Hundreds more zero emission buses have been funded in London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It means the government remains on track to deliver its commitment to fund a total of 4,000 zero-emission buses across the country – which the Prime Minister promised in 2020 to “drive forward the UK’s progress on its net zero ambitions” and to “build and rebuild those vital connections to every part of the UK, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.