Wrightbus signs deal with Go-Ahead for +1,000 buses (over 90% being zero-emission)

Wrightbus announces it has signed a landmark deal worth up to half-a-billion pounds to supply more than 1,000 buses to operators Go-Ahead over the next three years.

And because more than 90% of the order will be zero-emission, it also represents a huge boost to the UK’s net zero goals and the Government’s Decarbonisation Transport Plan, which is committed to supplying 4,000 new zero-emission buses in the UK.

Wrightbus major deal with Go-Ahead

The deal, which is the largest in its 78-year history, will see hundreds of Go-Ahead buses built a year for the next three years at its Ballymena headquarters – safeguarding 500 good green jobs and creating multiple training and upskilling opportunities.

The deal not only secures jobs at Wrightbus but will support an additional 1,500 across the UK supply chain, the OEM underlines.

A training and apprenticeships fund has been established as part of the partnership, which will see the development of a learning academy for Go-Ahead and Wrightbus employees, that will also see placements made available for students with Special Educational Needs and young people not in training or education.

Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, said: “This deal with Go-Ahead is hugely significant not just for Wrightbus and for Ballymena, but for the wider United Kingdom. It represents a huge boost to the UK’s economy and it will support homegrown manufacturing, jobs and skills for the next three years and beyond. We’ve always been proud to support the UK’s supply chain and have already spent more than a billion pounds with UK firms. Our Go-Ahead partnership will ensure even more money can be spent supporting good green jobs. We’re incredibly excited about the training opportunities the partnership will bring as we help to create a highly-skilled workforce for the future. We must also not forget that this deal represents a massive step forward in our ambition to help decarbonise the transport sector with our world-leading products. It’s a momentous occasion and one we’re delighted to be sharing with our partners Go-Ahead.”

Matt Carney, CEO of Go-Ahead Bus, said: “This multi-million-pound investment and partnership with Wrightbus will accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleet across the UK. We are proud to be working in partnership with the UK Government and local authorities to deliver transformational environmental change for communities, while supporting UK jobs and the growth of the country’s supply chain.”

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh said: “The number one mission of this Government is growing the economy. The half a billion pounds Go-Ahead is announcing today shows the confidence industry has in investing in the UK. This announcement will see communities across the country benefit from brand new, state of the art green buses – which will deliver cleaner air and better journeys. We’re creating the right conditions for businesses to flourish, so we can support jobs and accelerate towards decarbonising the transport sector. Under this Government, Britain is open for business.”