The group’s Oxford Bus Company has been recognised for its fleet decarbonisation programme and investment in 104 electric buses
The Go-Ahead Group says it remains on target to decarbonise its entire bus fleet by 2035. The group was recently presented with the ‘Transport Project of the Year’ award for creating an all-electric bus city in Oxford at the recently at the 2024 UK Green Business Awards. The Awards are designed to highlight ’the most exciting, inspiring, and innovative companies, projects, and campaigns’ nationwide and to recognise organisations that are striving to build an economy that is sustainable, healthier, and more prosperous.
The company’s award focused on the project led by subsidiary the Oxford Bus Company, which is deploying a total of 104 zero-emission buses, with all due in service by the end of 2024. The project is being funded by local and national government, along with over £30m of investment from Go-Ahead. Over 80 of the vehicles are already in service, and Go-Ahead now has over 1,000 zero-emission buses either in operation or on order for its UK companies.
The project has also seen the full electrification of Oxford Bus Company’s Cowley Depot where 104 bus charging points have been installed.
Go-Ahead Group Chief Executive Miguel Parras said: “I am proud of our team in Oxford who have successfully delivered this industry leading project. Through the expertise of Go-Ahead’s zero-emission Centre of Excellence, we will continue to lead the way in the transition to zero-emission buses, building on best practice, and investing more to ensure we deliver an outstanding service that serves the needs of our communities”.
Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company Luke Marion added: “This project is ground-breaking. Not only have we created an all-electric bus city, together with our partners from the public and private sector, we’ve achieved so much more. We’re not just improving the environment with this project but crucially will also be improving bus journey times too with the imminent introduction of additional traffic filters in the city. This award is a testament to the dedication of our people at Oxford Bus Company and the wider Go-Ahead Group team.”
