The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced almost 1000 new zero emission buses are to be introduced as the Government invests £143 million.

The Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, confirmed that 955 zero emission buses will be on the roads as 25 councils receive funding to decarbonise their bus fleets.

Funding comes from the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme, which will see new electric buses in towns, villages and cities across England.

As the Government has said it will be prioritising rural areas, this also mean some areas will be receiving zero emission buses for the first time.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “As part of our plan to improve local transport across the country, we’re providing a further £143 million to improve journeys for bus passengers particularly in rural areas, with almost a thousand brand new, zero emission buses due to hit the road.

“This latest investment into our bus fleet comes on top of the £3.5 billion we have invested into our bus network since 2020, protecting and improving bus routes into 2025 as well as extending the £2 bus fare cap until the end of 2024, made possible by reallocated HS2 funding.”

Alison Edwards, Director of Policy and External Relations at the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) said: “CPT welcomes this support from government to help accelerate vital public and private investment in new zero emissions vehicles and charging infrastructure.

“The transition to a zero-emission bus fleet is a huge opportunity for Britain to lead the world in creating a modern zero emission bus network that offers a growing number of passengers one of the most sustainable forms of transport.”