Go-Ahead Group leads the charge with 201 new zero-emission buses

Credit: The Go-Ahead Group

The Go-Ahead Group has announced the addition of 201 zero-emission buses to its fleet, furthering its commitment to cleaner air and environmental responsibility across the UK.

The roll-out, expected by March 2026, will see various regional bus companies under The Go-Ahead Group – such as Plymouth CityBus, Go Cornwall Bus, Go North East, Pulhams Coaches, Salisbury Reds, Southern Vectis, East Yorkshire Buses, Brighton & Hove and Metrobus – introducing these sustainable vehicles. This move brings The Go-Ahead Group’s total count of zero-emission buses to over 1,100, setting a new standard in the industry.

The substantial investment of £112 million reflects a collaborative effort between The Go-Ahead Group, the Department for Transport (DfT) and local authorities. This funding includes £44 million from the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) initiative and £6 million from local authorities, with The Go-Ahead Group contributing £62 million to the initiative.

The breakdown of the investment highlights the regional distribution of the new zero-emission buses:

• Go South West’s Plymouth CityBus and Go Cornwall Bus will receive 50 zero-emission buses, supported by an allocation of £28.5 million
• Southern Vectis and Salisbury Reds of Go South Coast will add 45 zero-emission buses to their fleets, backed by a £24.1 million investment
• Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus will introduce 59 zero-emission buses (43 for Metrobus in Crawley and 16 for Brighton & Hove) with a £35 million investment
• Go North East’s Riverside depot will receive £5.7 million for 11 zero-emission buses
• Pulhams Coaches in Bourton-on-the-Water will benefit from £8 million investment for 15 zero-emission buses
• East Yorkshire Buses in Hull will introduce 21 zero-emission buses with a £10.9 million investment.

Go-Ahead’s collaborative journey towards bus electrification

This expansion extends the reach of zero-emission transport into rural areas like Bourton-on-the-Water and the Isle of Wight, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability beyond urban centres.

Each zero-emission bus deployed is projected to save approximately 60 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, contributing significantly to combatting climate change and promoting healthier environments in communities nationwide.

Miguel Parras, CEO of The Go-Ahead Group, said: “Our ongoing partnership with local authority partners and our investment in cutting-edge electric vehicle technology are driving meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and delivering tangible benefits to communities across the UK.”  

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “As part of our plan to improve local transport across the country, we’re providing a further £143 million to improve journeys for bus passengers particularly in rural areas, with almost a thousand brand new, zero-emission buses due to hit the road.”