Government announces allocation of £46m funding for 542 new low carbon buses
Wed 06 April 2011
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542 new low carbon buses will appear on England's roads by March 2012, thanks to over £46m allocated under the Green Bus Fund by the Department for Transport. All the English regions will benefit with funds being paid to 20 bus operators and 6 local authorities.
The allocation of the money, announced by transport minister Norman Baker, is part of the Government’s drive to target investment in new projects that promote green growth and encourage use of sustainable local transport.
Norman Baker said: “Low carbon buses emit around 30 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than standard diesel buses and use around a third less fuel – that is why it was so important to kick-start the market.
“They also represent an important and developing industry – both in this country and throughout the world – which has the potential to create jobs and boost economic growth.
The Green Bus Fund was introduced in two stages, in 2009 and 2010. The LowCVP worked closely with the Department for Transport in the development of the Fund. The DfT says that the Fund 'has been a great success story'.
Green, low carbon hybrid-electric buses supported by the Fund are already in operation in London, Manchester, Oxford and Reading. Electric buses supported by the Fund are operating in Durham. The majority of buses funded to date are hybrid-electric vehicles (97%) with the remainder being all-electric buses.
The UK is now Europe's largest market for low carbon buses.
The Department for Transport has published a downloadable table showing the recipients of the funding and the types of projects supported.
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