The Go-Ahead Group says it is proud to be heading towards a significant achievement in sustainable public transport with the introduction of an additional 201 zero-emission buses to its fleet at regional bus companies, including Plymouth CityBus, Go Cornwall Bus, Go North East, Pulhams Coaches, Salisbury Reds, Southern Vectis, East Yorkshire Buses, and Brighton & Hove and Metrobus.
The new buses, which are expected to be in service by March 2026, will bring Go-Ahead’s total zero-emission bus count to over 1,100 across the UK following its latest £112 million of pooled investments as part of joint commitments from the DfT’s ZEBRA funding scheme, its subsidiaries and local authority partners. Fifty zero-emission buses will be allocated to Go South West’s, Plymouth CityBus and Go Cornwall Bus divisions, whilst Go South Coast operators, Southern Vectis and Salisbury Reds will add 45. A £35 million investment at Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus will deliver 59, of which 43 wil be for its Metrobus fleet in Crawley and 16 Brighton & Hove Buses. At Go North East, the firm’s Riverside depot will see a further £5.7 million invested in 11 zero-emission buses.
Recently-acquired Pulhams Coaches is to take delivery of 15 zero-emission vehicles thanks to an £8m investment in its Bourton-on-the-Water depot, and in Hull, East Yorkshire Buses will introduce 21 zero-emission buses thanks to £10.9 million of joint funding.
“We are proud to lead the way in electrifying urban transit and accelerating the transition to cleaner, greener transport and we extend our gratitude to all our partners for trusting in us to deliver,” said Miguel Parras, CEO of the Go-Ahead Group. “Our ongoing partnership with local authority partners and our investment in cutting-edge EV (electric vehicle) technology are driving meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and delivering tangible benefits to communities across the UK.”
CEO of Go-Ahead Bus Matt Carney added: “Our collaboration with local authority partners, supported by the Government’s ZEBRA scheme, reflects our shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future. This expansion of our electric bus fleet not only demonstrates our commitment to reducing emissions but also marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of public transport in our areas of operation. We are dedicated to contributing to a greener, more sustainable future. I’m confident we’ll achieve our goal of being fully zero-emission by 2035.”
