More Ballymena-made buses will be traversing the streets of London after Wrightbus sealed a deal for 48 zero emission vehicles with Stagecoach.
The vehicles will be manufactured at the company’s base in Ballymena and are claimed to be the world’s most efficient double deck battery electric bus.
Although the value of the deal wasn’t revealed, it comes on the back of a £25.3 million contract to supply 117 battery-electric vehicles for First Bus.
Wrightbus has been growing its sales of electric vehicles over the last few years and gaining a reputation as specialist in the electrification of bus transport networks across the world.
It marks the continued revival of the business since it was bought out of administration by Jo Bamford, part of the family which founded JCB, back in 2019.
Ian Gillott, Managing Director (Parts and Services) at Wrightbus, welcomed the deal
"It has been a real team effort between Wrightbus and Stagecoach to deliver this exciting deal. We can’t wait to see these buses in operation in London, which will help passengers enjoy comfortable and cleaner transport. It strengthens the reputation we have forged in the zero emission transport sector and will help play an important part in the UK’s ambitions for decarbonisation.”
Louise Cheeseman, Transport for London’s Director of Buses, said Wrightbus is helping it make London a greener city.
“By bringing these new electric buses to London, Stagecoach and Wrightbus are bringing us closer to making our fleet, already one of the largest in Europe, fully zero emission,” she said. “We’re looking forward to seeing these more comfortable and environmentally friendly vehicles when they arrive later this year.”
