Recent Achievements
WrightBus partnership: Zero-emission buses driving sustainability and job creation
Case Study at a glance
£500 million
Investment
1,200
zero emission buses
500
manufacturing jobs
2,000
UK supply chain jobs
In 2024, Go-Ahead Group embarked on a transformative journey with a landmark £500 million investment to decarbonise our bus fleet.
This initiative, in partnership with Northern Ireland-based manufacturer Wrightbus, includes the creation of a dedicated manufacturing line to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transport.
The funding will see up to 1,200 new zero-emissions buses built over three years. The buses will support the transition to zero-emissions operations in places like Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London and the Isle of Wight.
“This multi-million-pound investment and partnership with Wrightbus will accelerate the transition to a zero-emission fleet across the UK.” – Matt Carney, CEO Go-Ahead Bus
The first new zero-emission buses will run in London in April 2025, and continue thereafter on a regular schedule. While regional deliveries will start rolling out in Plymouth from June 2025 and continuing through to March 2026.
How we’re leading a green transport future
This partnership will create up to 500 jobs at Wrightbus’s Ballymena factory on a dedicated Go-Ahead production line.
“This deal with Go-Ahead is hugely significant not just for Wrightbus and for Ballymena, but for the wider United Kingdom.” Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales.
Beyond manufacturing, this project supports 2,000 jobs across the UK supply chain. Additionally, our apprenticeship exchange programme is nurturing the next generation of sustainable transport professionals, ensuring a skilled workforce for the future.
As an official partner of W-Tech, the UK’s only research hub for zero-emission buses, Go-Ahead is positioned at the forefront of green technology innovation.
Wrightbus will plant 10 trees for every bus manufactured, working with environmental charities to give back to the communities we serve.
Once on the road, each zero-emission bus will eliminate on average of 60 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, solidifying our leadership in sustainability and demonstrating our commitment to decarbonising public transport.
