UK local authorities and bus companies in the cities of Bristol, York, Brighton and the counties of Denbighshire, Surrey and Wiltshire, have been awarded GBP11m (US$14m) through the government’s Low Emission Bus Scheme to help purchase 153 cleaner vehicles.
The successful bidders will use the funding to buy new electric and gas buses, as well as to install stations to fuel or charge them.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
“Low emission buses are an important part of our plans to make motoring cleaner and improve air quality across the country,” said British Transport Minister, Paul Maynard.
“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.”
The successful bidders are:
- Denbighshire County Council, Wales: GBP500,000 for four electric buses.
- City of York Council: GBP3.3m for 24 electric buses to be used on park and ride services.
- South Gloucestershire Council: GBP4.8m for 110 gas buses for services around Bristol.
- Surrey County Council, Guildford: GBP1.5m for nine electric buses for park and ride services in Guildford.
- The Big Lemon: GBP500,000 for three electric buses to be used in the Brighton area.
- Go South Coast/Wiltshire County Council: GBP500,000 for three electric buses to be used on park and ride services around Salisbury.
The UK government’s support for low emission buses is one part of a GBP600m package of measures from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles by 2020. There has also been GBP270m announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement to support the roll out of low emission cars, taxis and buses and infrastructure.
This follows an initial GBP30m awarded to bus companies and local councils in July, 2016 through the Low Emission Bus Scheme to help put 300 more such vehicles on the country’s roads.
Later this year, the government will also publish plans for a second round of the low emission initiatives.
