£11 million for green buses across England

Bus users across England will benefit from cleaner and greener journeys with a roll out of low emission buses.

Local authorities and bus companies in Bristol, York, Brighton, Surrey, Denbighshire and Wiltshire have been awarded the funding under the government’s ‘Low emission bus scheme’ to help them buy 153 cleaner buses.

The successful bidders will use the funding to buy new electric and gas bases, and to install stations to fuel or charge them. They include: Denbighshire County Council, Wales; City of York Council; South Gloucestershire Council; Surrey County Council, Guildord; The Big Lemon, Brighton; and Go South Coast/Wiltshire County Council.

The investment comes after the government’s air quality plan was published in July.

The government’s support for low emission buses is one part of a £600 million package of measures from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles by 2020, plus £270 million announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement to support the roll out of low emission vehicles and supporting infrastructure.

This follows an initial £30 million awarded to bus companies and local councils in July 2016 under the ‘Low emission bus scheme’ to help put over 300 more low emission buses on the country’s roads.

Paul Maynard, Transport Minister, said: “Low emission buses are an important part of our plans to make motoring cleaner and improve air quality across the country.

“New greener buses will be more comfortable for passengers, they are cost efficient and are good for the environment.

“I am pleased to announce this latest group of successful bidders, which should make a real difference to air quality in towns and cities across the country.”

Mike Goodman, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “This is great news for Guildford which will get a new fleet of electric buses for its park and ride routes.

“Not only will the buses mean cleaner air for the town, they will be quieter and will also bring an economic boost – including to local company Alexander Dennis which will build the new fleet. Improving air quality through reducing pollution is a key priority for us and this funding – coupled with generous investment from Stagecoach – means we’ll be able to introduce Surrey’s first electric buses. We want to continue working with bus operators and other organisations to bring cleaner, greener transport to Surrey."