UK's first bus manufacturing panel for greener buses

The first UK bus manufacturing panel today (13th March 2025) saw ministers meet local leaders and industry stakeholders in a bid to demonstrate their commitment to greener bus travel, new UK jobs and bigger business.

Local transport minister Simon Lightwood hosted the event at Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, alongside industry experts like Alexander Dennis, the Urban Transport Group and the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

The panel explored ways of ensuring that the UK remains a leader in bus building while helping local authorities to deliver their transport ambitions.

Local transport minister Simon Lightwood said: “It was great to kick off our first bus manufacturing expert panel today, bringing together leading bus manufacturers, metro mayors and industry experts to focus on cleaner air and improved transport across the country.

“By creating a pathway for UK manufacturing growth, we are not just transforming our fleets — we are prioritising high quality buses that meet the needs of passengers, boosting regional economies to drive up living standards and putting a coalition of highly skilled manufacturers and passionate local leaders at the heart of our zero-emission future.”

Various panels discussed topics like the importance of prioritising zero-emission buses, and how agencies can work together to built a ‘passenger first’ bus network.

This comes ahead of the Bus Services Bill which is set to revolutionise the UK’s bus industries. The bus will also include measure to end the use of new diesel and petrol buses across England from no earlier than 2030, alongside giving authorities the power to manage their own bus services again.