UK’s first bus manufacturing panel kicks off to boost local zero emission bus production
The first UK bus manufacturing panel was held on 13th March, with Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, hosting the event at Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, alongside industry experts from organisations including Alexander Dennis, the Urban Transport Group and the Confederation of Passenger Transport. The introduction of the panel was anticipated in the Buses Bill. Discussions explored ways […]
The first UK bus manufacturing panel was held on 13th March, with Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, hosting the event at Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, alongside industry experts from organisations including Alexander Dennis, the Urban Transport Group and the Confederation of Passenger Transport. The introduction of the panel was anticipated in the Buses Bill.
Discussions explored ways of ensuring that the UK remains a leader in bus building while helping local authorities to deliver their transport ambitions.
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Metro mayors Oliver Coppard (South Yorkshire) and Tracy Brabin (West Yorkshire) also attended to discuss how they can work with industry to supercharge zero emission bus manufacturing and support jobs across the UK.
The event, as underlined by the Department for Transport’s press release, featured various panels, with discussions including the importance of prioritising the manufacture of high quality, zero-emission buses across the regions. Manufacturers stressed the economic benefits of the technology felt by the workers building and using buses and said it had potential to support jobs across the country, and help the government deliver on its promise of growth through its Plan for Change.
Other discussions included how agencies can work together to build a ‘passenger first’ bus network, with enhanced accessibility and inclusivity.
Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: “It was great to kick off our first bus manufacturing expert panel today, bringing together leading bus manufacturers, metro mayors and industry experts to focus on cleaner air and improved transport across the country. By creating a pathway for UK manufacturing growth, we are not just transforming our fleets – we are prioritising high quality buses that meet the needs of passengers, boosting regional economies to drive up living standards and putting a coalition of highly skilled manufacturers and passionate local leaders at the heart of our zero-emission future”.
Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said: “The UK has a successful history of building buses and has the potential to be a global leader when it comes to manufacturing zero emission buses. The government’s new panel – of which we are pleased to be a part – will bring together leaders from across the sector to help secure the UK’s strong bus manufacturing position and to deliver new jobs, greener buses, cleaner air and regional economic growth”.
Alexander Dennis External Affairs & Marketing Director, Debbie McCreath, said: “Prioritising the manufacture of next-generation zero-emission buses across the UK will support skilled jobs and apprenticeships at bus builders and throughout our extensive supply chain, delivering economic benefits that are reinvested in local communities, helping the Government deliver on its promise of Growth through its Plan for Change. We want the United Kingdom to remain a leader in bus engineering and manufacturing while helping local authorities to deliver their transport ambitions, and enhancing accessibility and inclusivity of the bus network together with the whole industry. At Alexander Dennis, we look forward to continuing to support the Government’s ambitions through our seat on the UK Bus Manufacturing Panel, and working with leaders including today’s attendees Oliver Coppard, Tracy Brabin and Seb Dance to supercharge zero-emission bus manufacturing and support jobs across the UK.”
