Bus operator Go Ahead has announced a deal worth up to half-a-billion pounds with Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus to supply more than 1,000 electric buses.
Over the net three years, this order will boost the transition to emission free services in areas including Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London and the Isle of Wight.
The deal, which Wrightbus describe as the largest in its 78-year history, will see hundreds of Go-Ahead buses built each year for the next three years at the company’s Ballymena headquarters – safeguarding 500 jobs and creating multiple training and upskilling opportunities.
A training and apprenticeships fund has been established as part of the partnership, which will see the development of a learning academy for Go-Ahead and Wrightbus employees and placements made available for students with Special Educational Needs and young people not in training or education.
Over the three years of the partnership, 1.13 million tonnes of CO2 will be mitigated when the vehicles are in operation and, for every vehicle manufactured, ten trees will be planted in the towns and cities where the buses are deployed.
Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, said: ‘This deal with Go-Ahead is hugely significant not just for Wrightbus and for Ballymena, but for the wider United Kingdom.
‘It represents a huge boost to the UK’s economy and it will support homegrown manufacturing, jobs and skills for the next three years and beyond. We’ve always been proud to support the UK’s supply chain and have already spent more than a billion pounds with UK firms. Our Go-Ahead partnership will ensure even more money can be spent supporting good green jobs.’
Matt Carney, CEO of Go-Ahead Bus, said: ‘This multi-million-pound investment and partnership with Wrightbus will accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleet across the UK. We are proud to be working in partnership with the UK Government and local authorities to deliver transformational environmental change for communities, while supporting UK jobs and the growth of the country’s supply chain.’
Alongside this announcement, it was revealed that Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is to announce plans for the creation of a UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel which will bring together industry experts and local leaders to explore ways to help local authorities deliver on their transport ambitions, and begin to seize opportunities to embrace zero emission transport technologies.’
Of the Go Ahead-Wrightbus deal, Haigh said: ‘The number one mission of this government is growing the economy. The half a billion pounds Go Ahead is announcing today shows the confidence industry has in investing in the UK.
‘This announcement will see communities across the country benefit from brand new, state-of-the-art green buses – which will deliver cleaner air and better journeys.
‘We’re creating the right conditions for businesses to flourish, so we can support jobs and accelerate towards decarbonising the transport sector.’