Go Ahead orders 1,200 zero-emission buses from Wrightbus
The 1,200 buses for Go Ahead from Northern Irish manufacturer Wrightbus will have zero tailpipe emissions and will be put into operation in locations including Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London, and the Isle of Wight.
For this large order, Wrightbus intends to build a new dedicated production line. The investment is expected to create 500 jobs in manufacturing and a further 2,000 jobs in the supply chain.
The UK government has announced a broader plan to “ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing, help local authorities deliver on their transport ambitions, and begin to seize opportunities to embrace zero-emission transport technologies”. For this purpose, the UK Transport Secretary has announced plans to create a new UK Bus Manufacturing ‘expert panel’ that should bring together industry experts and local leaders.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh noted that the large agreement between Go Ahead and Wrightbus has significant ramifications for British industry: “The half a billion pounds Go Ahead is announcing today shows the confidence industry has in investing in the UK.”
Wrightbus revealed that a training and apprenticeships fund has also been established as part of the partnership. This should see the development of a learning academy for Go-Ahead and Wrightbus employees that will include placements for students with special educational needs as well as young people not otherwise engaged in training or education.
Wrightbus produces both purely battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell single and double-decker buses. The bus maker also retrofits conventional buses with zero-emission drive systems and was recently asked by First Bus to retrofit 30 diesel buses with new, silent and clean drive systems.
As part of the deal, which marks the biggest order in Wrightbus’ 78-year history, Go Ahead and Wrightbus will also plant ten trees for every vehicle manufactured in the towns and cities where the buses are deployed.
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