The UK government has unveiled a £129 million zero emission bus funding to connect towns and rural in England, bring the total investment into green buses to almost £500 million.
Transport secretary Mark Harper said the funding will help “decarbonise public transport” and “grow the economy” by connecting local communities.
“We have already reached our initial target of funding at least 4,000 zero emission buses and this additional funding will improve journeys for even more passengers, reaching those in the most remote areas,” he added.
To make sure more parts of England benefit from green technology, particularly remote areas where building the infrastructure needed for the buses is more expensive, the government has prioritised the first £25 million for rural communities.
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Through millions of pounds of investment, the government has succeeded in meeting its initial target of funding 4,000 zero emission buses with this latest funding announcement bringing the country closer to a fully decarbonised fleet.
The Transport Secretary has also announced today the launch of a new research hub, backed by £10 million in funding from the Department for Transport, National Highways, HS2 Ltd, Network Rail and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Newcastle University, Heriot-Watt University, University of Cambridge and University of Glasgow have been awarded the funding to establish the Net Zero Transport for a Resilient Future Hub, where they will develop innovative ideas to ensure future transport infrastructure is low-carbon and resilient.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council interim executive chair Professor Miles Padgett said: “A well-functioning low-carbon transport infrastructure is vital to sustain communities and economies.”
“This investment in the climate-resilient development of our transport system will keep the UK at the forefront of the green industrial revolution and accelerate the transition to a secure and prosperous green economy,” he added.
