ADL welcomes Scottish green-bus funding
£7.4m given for ultra-low emission buses for Scotland
Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) has welcomed the first round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme. The project sees the country’s government’s provide £7.4 million funding package aimed at helping bus operators invest in ultra-low emission vehicles and infrastructure.
It will see 41 ultra-low emission buses supported across five bids, 35 of which will be built by ADL in Scotland. Three of the winning proposals were made with ADL as the intended supplier and the company will now work with successful bidders First Glasgow, Xplore Dundee and McGill’s Buses to finalise contracts for these 35 zero-emission buses.
The successful bidders for the funding are:
- First Glasgow
- Xplore Dundee (National Express)
- Orkney Islands Council
- McGill’s Buses
- Ember Core Ltd
Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, said: “As Britain’s leading manufacturer of clean buses, we welcome the Scottish Government’s award of funding for ultra-low emission buses, which will contribute to Scotland’s green recovery.
“This is a much appreciated first step in stimulating urgently needed demand for new buses and we look forward to building 35 electric buses here in Scotland. Delivering cleaner air and reducing carbon emissions, they will set a great example for further investment in a better future for all. At Alexander Dennis, we have the capacity, skilled team and commitment to build the many more low, ultra low and zero emission buses which our nation needs now.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, said: “The Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme is providing economic stimulus to help drive a green recovery, responding to the climate emergency whilst improving air quality. I’m pleased that 35 of these new buses will be manufactured in Scotland, helping to support jobs and our bus manufacturing sector.
“366 million bus journeys were made in 2019, which demonstrates the value of our bus sector and supply chain in keeping Scotland moving. It also reinforces the key role that buses play every day in supporting the wider vision outlined in our National Transport Strategy.
“To help support bus operators and passengers, we’re also providing up to £109 million to increase and maintain bus services and £10 million for bus priority infrastructure measures. In addition, we have maintained concessionary travel payments and Bus Service Operator Grants at pre-COVID levels and have provided £9.75 million to fund exhaust retrofits and help with the costs in moving to Low Emission Zones.”
- ADL will also benefit from Lothian Buses’ separate confirmation of its intent to continue with an order originally placed in 2019 for the purchase of 98 new double-deck buses which ADL will build in Falkirk on Volvo chassis.