South West Set to Enjoy Greener Bus Journeys with £43 Million Investment for Electric Buses

Residents across the South West of England are poised for a significant upgrade in public transport as the Government announces a substantial £43.4 million investment to introduce 352 electric buses across the region.

This move, spearheaded by Transport Secretary Mark Harper, marks a pivotal moment in enhancing the local transport infrastructure, providing a cleaner, more reliable, and modern bus service.

A Leap Towards Decarbonisation

This funding allocation is a part of the Government’s broader strategy to invigorate local economies while steering communities towards a sustainable future. It follows a generous £177 million aid aimed at bus service improvement in the South West, in addition to extending the £2 bus fare cap until the end of the current year.

For the first time, the Department for Transport directly finances the acquisition of electric buses in the South West, stretching from Cornwall to Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to Torbay. This initiative is set to revolutionise the way residents travel, emphasising reliability, modernity, and environmental responsibility.

ZEBRA Programme’s Role

The investment stems from the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme, which commits £143 million to electrify England’s bus fleets, with the South West playing a crucial role in this transformation. The UK, thanks to the ZEBRA scheme, led Europe in electric bus registrations in 2023, showcasing the country’s commitment to decarbonising public transport.

Funding Breakdown

The distribution of funds across nine councils in the South West is as follows:

Council	Funding (£)	Electric Buses
Cornwall Council	£1,300,000	8
Devon County Council	£5,300,000	41
Gloucestershire County Council	£5,900,000	58
North Somerset Council	£2,100,000	24
Plymouth City Council	£9,500,000	50
Somerset Council	£2,200,000	25
Torbay Council	£7,100,000	49
West of England Mayoral Combined Authority	£6,600,000	74
Wiltshire Council	£3,400,000	23
South West total	£43,400,000	352

*Numbers may not sum to totals due to rounding

Industry and Local Authority Responses

Janette Bell, Managing Director for First Bus, highlighted the importance of this milestone in achieving a zero-emission fleet, while Sam Greer, Stagecoach Chief Operating Officer, welcomed the funding as a key step towards cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions. Local authorities, including Gloucestershire County Council and Somerset Council, expressed their excitement and gratitude for the investment, emphasising the benefits of modern, accessible, and environmentally friendly buses.

Futureproofing Public Transport

Beyond environmental benefits, these electric buses promise an enhanced passenger experience with features like Wi-Fi and USB charging sockets, meeting Enhanced Accessibility Standards. This initiative is part of a larger £3.5 billion investment in England’s bus services since 2020, supported by HS2 funding reallocations, aiming to safeguard and improve bus routes while making public transport a more attractive option for residents.

The rollout of electric buses in the South West is not just a win for local communities but a significant step forward in the UK’s journey towards a sustainable and environmentally responsible public transport system.