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London's Zero-Emission Bus Fleet Hits 2,000 Milestone

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London has passed a major green transport milestone with more than 2,000 zero-emission buses now in service across the capital – the largest such fleet in Western Europe. The achievement reflects a sharp increase from just 30 zero-emission buses in 2016 and reinforces Transport for London’s (TfL) target to deliver a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030. Transport for London Building a Cleaner, Smarter Bus Network The milestone was marked with the launch of the capital’s newest fully electric route, the 337 between Clapham Junction and Richmond, operated by Transport UK. The route is now served by a fleet of 12 new Wrightbus Electroliners, operating every 10 minutes. The introduction of the 337 means two in every nine buses in London are now zero-emission – or more than 20 per cent of the city’s iconic red bus fleet. Since 2021, all new vehicles joining the network have been zero-emission. In addition to helping London reach net zero carbon by 2030, these buses are cutting harmful po...
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Ashton Depot Powers Up as Manchester’s First Fully Electric Bus Hub

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Another high-voltage milestone in Greater Manchester’s transport revolution has arrived quietly, and appropriately, with a hum. Ashton-under-Lyne is now home to one of the UK’s few fully electric bus depots, forming a central part of the Bee Network’s drive to decarbonise public transport and bring local control back to the streets. Transport for Greater Manchester More than 80 new double-deck electric buses are now operating out of the Ashton site, transforming 14 routes across Tameside and beyond. This is not just a nice-to-have green upgrade. It is a pivotal move in the region’s ambition to become the first UK city region with a fully integrated and zero emission public transport system. And it is happening fast. From Franchise to Flagship It was not long ago that just one percent of Greater Manchester’s buses were electric. Post-franchising, that number has grown tenfold. Over 300 electric vehicles are now running on the Bee Network, with the Ashton depot alone accounting for ...
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Bristol Powers Up Its First Fully Electrified Bus Depot

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There was something of a spark in the air in south Bristol as the city’s first fully electrified bus depot officially opened at Hengrove. Flanked by dignitaries and the smell of fresh concrete, this newly upgraded depot marks a significant moment in Bristol’s journey towards a cleaner, quieter, less diesel-scented future. First Bus It is not just a few charging points and some optimistic banners. Hengrove depot has undergone a full scale £44 million revamp, turning it into one of the most advanced electric bus hubs outside the M25. This includes five massive charging gantries stretching across a site roughly the size of four football pitches. These are not the sort of gantries you string Christmas lights from. These deliver serious voltage. Who Paid for What and Why It Matters Most of the cash came from First Bus, who stumped up £37.4 million. Another £6.6 million was drawn from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas fund, more fondly known in the industry as ZEBRA. The ...
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Zero Tailpipe Emission Double Deck Buses Roll into Plymouth

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A bold new era for public transport is arriving in Plymouth—quietly. The first of 50 zero-emission, electric double-decker buses have touched down in Plymouth, marking a significant shift in how the city moves its people. For bus and coach operators across the UK, this transformation offers a powerful case study in what’s possible when government, local authorities and transport operators pull together.
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First Bus Launches £14.7M Electric Fleet in Somerset

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The first of 25 brand-new electric buses have now entered service in Somerset, marking a major shift towards zero-emission public transport in the region. The buses are part of a £14.7 million project delivered by First Bus South in partnership with Somerset Council, with funding support from the Department for Transport’s ZEBRA 2 (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) scheme.
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Mellor Unveils Next-Gen Strata Minibus

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Say hello to the all-new Strata – Mellor’s latest showstopper in the small bus world. It’s smarter, more accessible and packed with fresh features to make every journey smoother, greener and comfier. And yes, it’s still built right here in the UK. Mellor Bus Since its debut in 2016, the original Strata has earned its stripes as a reliable workhorse – now it’s back with a vengeance, ready to shake up the sector all over again. If you thought small buses were all the same, think again. Accessibility, meet ambition First up: big wins for accessibility. The reworked rear saloon now has just one step up from the low-floor section (down from two), reducing trip hazards and making things safer for everyone onboard. Passengers also get an extra 100mm of headroom – that’s a whole lot less crouching and a lot more comfort. Mellor Bus The low-floor area’s been stretched by 266mm, making space for four extra seats. In fact, there’s now room for up to twelve seats in the low-floor area alone – p...
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Grab a Mate, Ditch the Car & Breathe Easier in Harrogate

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Harrogate’s going greener – and The Harrogate Bus Company wants you and your plus-one to be part of the journey. In a fresh push to get drivers out of their cars and onto its all-electric buses, the firm has launched a new two-for-one travel offer for Fridays. The goal? Cleaner air, quieter streets and a more chilled-out end to the working week.
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LCR to Secure Bus Depots in Major Franchising Move

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Bus services across the Liverpool City Region are set for a major transformation, with plans for a fully publicly-run bus network moving forward at pace. The introduction of a franchised system will see services brought under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years, promising more frequent buses, better connections and improved infrastructure. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Franchising is Coming Sooner Than Planned You’ve probably heard about the move to bus franchising—where routes, fares and timetables will be planned by the public sector rather than private companies—but here’s what’s happening next. The first phase kicks off in St Helens and Wirral, with the new system up and running by September 2026. The whole region should be fully franchised by the end of 2027, a year ahead of schedule. Mayor Steve Rotheram, said: “Reliable, regular, and affordable buses are the backbone of a great public transport system. They connect people to work, education, and each ...
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Tower Transit Group Acquires Huyton Travel

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In a move that’s sure to shake up the bus scene in the Liverpool City Region, Tower Transit Group, part of the Kelsian Group, has taken over local bus operator Huyton Travel, otherwise known as HTL Buses.
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First 24-Hour Bus Service in West Yorkshire Sees Skyrocketing Growth

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In West Yorkshire, the 72 Service, running non-stop between Leeds and Bradford, has been a game-changer since it kicked off last September. And the stats? Well, they’re pretty incredible.
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