Government ministers and metro mayors met in Westminster on 28 July to discuss plans for expanding zero-emission bus manufacturing
across UK regions, with a focus on creating long-term job opportunities and cleaner transport options.
The fifth meeting of the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel was attended by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, and several metro mayors including David Skaith (York and North Yorkshire), Richard Parker (West Midlands), and Steve Rotheram (Liverpool). Scottish Government representatives also participated.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, said: “It was great to bring mayors together today for the fifth meeting of the bus manufacturing expert panel, where we committed to building a strong pipeline of future zero-emission bus orders.”
Central to the discussions was establishing a 10-year pipeline of zero-emission bus orders to provide manufacturers with investment certainty.
Currently, approximately 60% of zero-emission buses funded through government ZEBRA programmes are manufactured by UK-based companies.
The government has allocated significant funding for new zero-emission buses across England. Earlier this year, nearly £38 million was announced to deliver 319 new zero-emission buses across 12 cities by spring 2027, with private investment matching each government pound at a 3:1 ratio.
Key allocations include £2.3 million for Nottinghamshire County Council to launch 42 electric buses, £3.9 million for Hull City Council's 42 vehicles, and nearly £20 million for West of England Combined Authority's 160 buses. An additional £28 million has been designated for Sheffield and Bradford to improve city centre air quality.
The Bus Services Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, supports these initiatives by granting local authorities greater control over service planning and delivery.
The legislation includes provisions to end new diesel bus purchases in England from 2030 onwards.
The panel emphasised ensuring public funding delivers maximum social benefits for communities whilst supporting local employment and sustainability goals.
The inaugural meeting took place in Sheffield earlier this year, establishing the UK's commitment to maintaining leadership in bus manufacturing whilst supporting local transport ambitions.
Jason Prince, Director, Urban Transport Group, added: “Investing in buses, especially greener, cleaner buses is good for our transport systems, our health and the economy. Government, operators and our members, working together through the manufacturing panel to unlock the full potential of greener buses will help realise these benefits for passengers and their local communities.”