Transport Secretary visits Stagecoach’s Cheltenham depot for ZEBRA announcement

Stagecoach has welcomed Transport Secretary, Mark Harper MP, to its Cheltenham depot. During his visit, he announced the award of £143 million to roll-out more zero-emission buses through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.

Mr Harper was accompanied by Cheltenham MP and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk MP and met leaders from Gloucestershire County Council, one of the successful local authorities awarded funding.

Stagecoach is participating in 11 projects to deploy 367 electric buses across England, involving six of Stagecoach’s operating companies.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “This latest investment into our bus fleet comes on top of the £3.5 billion we have invested into our bus network since 2020, protecting and improving bus routes into 2025 as well as extending the £2 bus fare cap until the end of 2024, made possible by reallocated HS2 funding.”

“This is a really positive step forward in helping to reduce carbon emissions and deliver cleaner air” – Sam Greer, Chief Operating Officer

Sam Greer, Chief Operating Officer at Stagecoach, said: “We welcome this allocation of funding to local authorities for investment in new zero-emission buses. This support gives renewed confidence to the whole supply chain and will unlock significant private sector investment into new, clean vehicles.

“This is a really positive step forward in helping to reduce carbon emissions and deliver cleaner air, building on the funding already made available to support bus services in England through the £2 fare cap. We look forward to working with our local authority partners to deliver our shared ambitions for thriving bus services that support local communities.”