UK: Sheffield secures funding for 186 electric buses
The 186 electric buses will be introduced from 2027 and replace older diesel models. However, it is not clear at this point who will be charged with delivering them.
What is clear is that part of the funding comes from London. The project forms part of the UK government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas programme.
The UK government will contribute £33.4 million to the scheme, while the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will provide £58.3 million. In addition, SYMCA plans to invest a further £26 million in charging infrastructure and depot upgrades, including preparations at the Olive Grove bus depot to support the new electric vehicles. Again, there are no further details at this point.
The funding allocated to Sheffield represents 46 per cent of a £73.2 million package for zero-emission buses across England. Sheffield is thus the biggest recipient. The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) in North East England received £11 million for the electrification of two bus depots and the purchase of 82 electric buses.
Other recipients are Liverpool City Region (£7 million), Reading Borough Council (£3 million), West Northamptonshire Council (£2.2 million), North East Combined Authority (£3.6 million), Isle of Wight Council (£3.6 million), Devon County Council (£7.5 million), Surrey County Council (£0.5 million) and Nottinghamshire (£1 million).
Speaking when announcing the funding on a visit to Sheffield, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the funding was intended to support the transition to cleaner urban transport.
“This funding will replace polluting diesel buses with new electric vehicles that will make a real difference to people’s daily lives, better connecting them to work, to healthcare and to opportunity, whilst cleaning up the air we all breathe,” she said.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the investment would contribute to improvements in public transport and urban air quality. “Public transport in South Yorkshire used to be world-class. But our buses have been broken for too long,” he said.
“Now, we’re getting on with the job of delivering the promise of a bigger, better transport network, starting with our huge ambition for better buses.”
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