New Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme announced

A multi-million pound government investment which will help councils and bus companies put more environmentally-friendly buses on the roads has been announced.

The Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme is aimed at cutting emissions and ensuring cleaner and greener journeys.

The programme will see local authorities and operators in England and Wales bid for a share of a £48 million fund, which they can use to buy hundreds of new ultra-low emission buses as well as the infrastructure to support them.

This is part of the government’s commitment through the Industrial Strategy to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the transport sector.

Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “We are doing more than ever before to reduce greenhouse gas pollution across all modes of transport and we are committed to ensuring nearly all cars and vans are emissions-free at their tailpipes by 2050.

“We are confident this scheme will encourage councils and operators to invest in these ultra-low emission vehicles - speeding up the full transition to a low emission bus fleet in England and Wales.

The new scheme follows the success of the previous Low Emission Bus Scheme. This led to 13 organisations receiving more than £30 million between them – enough to put more than 300 new low-emission buses on the road by 2019.