Bus manufacturing company, Go Ahead has today (October 8) announced a major £500 million investment to deliver 1,200 UK-made zero emission buses over the next three years.
Go Ahead in partnership with Wrightbus will create 500 manufacturing jobs and the investment is also said to support an additional 2,000 jobs across the wider supply chain.
The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said the announcement will see local communities across the country benefit from brand new greener buses that will deliver cleaner air and better journeys.
Plans to cerate a new UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel are also in the works according to the Transport Secretary.
The panel is expected to unite local leaders, industry experts and help local authorities deliver on transport ambitions and embrace new technology to reach net zero targets.
The announcement comes ahead of the International Investment Summit taking place on October 14 which aims to gather UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from across the world to discuss further partnership and growth in the sector.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “The half a billion pounds Go Ahead is announcing today shows the confidence industry has in investing in the UK.
“We’re creating the right conditions for businesses to flourish, so we can support jobs and accelerate towards decarbonising the transport sector.”
Go-Ahead Bus CEO, Matt Carney added: “This multi-million-pound investment and partnership with Wrightbus will accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleet across the UK.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the investment as ‘exactly the kind we want to see’ as she praises its opportunity to create jobs and grow the economy.
The Chancellor hopes this announcement will show large businesses from across the world why they should invest in the UK.
For every vehicle manufactured Go Ahead and Wrightbus also shared they will plant 10 trees in towns and cities where their buses are deployed.
Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales said: “The deal with Go-Ahead is hugely significant and represents a huge boost to the UK’s economy.
“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 our Go-Ahead partnership will ensure even more money can be spent securing good green jobs.
“We must also not forget that this deal represents a massive step forward in our ambition to help decarbonise the transport sector.”