In a major boost to Greater Manchester’s ambitions to deliver an integrated transport network, the Bee Network, and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2038, £36.9million in funding has been secured to introduce 170 green buses to the region.
Greater Manchester has secured the funding after a joint bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) submitted by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stockport Council and Stagecoach Group PLC.
The funding will be topped up with £12.5million from GMCA and will support the introduction of 170 zero emission buses running from Stockport by 2024. This equates to 10 per cent of the whole bus fleet in Greater Manchester.
The funding comes from the DfT’s Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, which was launched last year to allow local transport authorities to bid for funding to purchase zero emission buses. Greater Manchester is one of 12 areas to secure a portion of the £200million funding available.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This is a significant boost to our ambitions for a fairer, greener bus system. Zero emission buses play a critical part in our drive to help more people travel sustainably.
“We welcome the Government’s backing, and we look forward to further support as we continue to build an integrated and affordable public transport system.”
Councillor Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “This is a major step forward to our plans to revolutionise how we travel in Stockport. We’re moving quickly in bringing a new state of the art transport hub to Stockport. And now we’re moving swiftly to improve air quality and transportation for now and future generations thanks to a green fleet of buses across our borough.
“This announcement shows our ambition for Stockport as we once again bring in funding to further complement all the great work already taking place in the town centre. It shows the importance of working with our partners and building relationships that benefit Stockport, and we’re delighted that 170 zero emission buses will be running from Stockport as we take a major step forward for our borough and Greater Manchester in tackling the ongoing climate emergency we are facing.”
