Inaugural UK bus manufacturing panel takes place in Sheffield
Government figureheads and industry professionals met at the first UK bus manufacturing panel in Sheffield.
Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, hosted the debut event at Canon Medical Arena, alongside industry experts from organisations including bus manufacturers, the Urban Transport Group and the Confederation of Passenger Transport.
Discussions explored ways of ensuring that the UK remains a leader in bus building while helping local authorities to deliver their transport ambitions.
Metro mayors Oliver Coppard (South Yorkshire) and Tracy Brabin (West Yorkshire) also attended to discuss how they can work with industry to help zero-emission bus manufacturing and support jobs across the UK.
The event 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.
It comes ahead of the hotly anticipated Bus Services Bill which will transform the bus industry by giving local leaders greater control over their services. The bill will also include a measure to end the use of new diesel and petrol buses across England from no earlier than 2030, alongside handing power back for local authorities to operate their own services.
It is currently progressing through Parliament and the government wants manufacturers to have a seat at the table as forward-thinking measures on zero emission buses are considered.
“By creating a pathway for UK manufacturing growth, we are not just transforming our fleets” – Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood
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.”
The Bus Services Bill is expected to boost safety for all, with mandatory training for staff and drivers to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.
“The UK has everything it needs to make it the world leader in the manufacture of zero-emission buses” – Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus
Attending the event was Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, who said: “We have been abundantly clear that we want to position ourselves as a global leader in zero-emission transportation, through both our Wrightbus and newly-launched Rightech brands: 95% of all our sales in 2024 were zero-emission compared to 95% diesel in 2019.
“The UK has everything it needs to make it the world leader in the manufacture of zero-emission buses so it is important that manufacturers like us have these opportunities to speak to political leaders, policymakers and those across the industry so that we can work together to achieve these goals.”