Sheffield City Region to benefit from Government’s £30m low emission bus fund

The Sheffield City Region is among thirteen local authorities in the UK to receive a share of a £30m low emission bus fund.

£1.3m has been awarded to the Sheffield City Region, which will receive 44 of the 326 new buses fitted with hybrid technology.

Launched by Transport Minister Andrew Jones, the government fund aims to provide bus passengers with cleaner, greener journeys.

Bus operators and local authorities across England have been awarded a share of the funding to buy low emission buses and install chargepoints and other infrastructure.

In total, the 13 bidders will be able to add 326 buses – including electric, hybrid, hydrogen and biomethane buses – to their fleets, and install more than £7m worth of infrastructure.

During a visit to Sheffield, Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “My message is clear – greener buses are good for passengers and good for British business.

“Low emission buses have already proved to be a real success across the country. They are cost efficient, good for the environment, and there are wider benefits.

“We have provided more than £2bn of funding to greener transport schemes since 2011, and by supporting this technology the government is ensuring the UK is driving innovation and investment up and down the country.”

Low emission buses produce at least 15% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the average modern diesel bus but they cost significantly more.

The funding will cover up to 90% of the difference in cost between a new bus and its diesel equivalent, as well as up to 75% of the cost of infrastructure.

The government’s support for low emission buses is one part of a £600m package of measures from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles by 2020, which also includes £400m of guaranteed money for individual plug-in car grants, investment in ultra-low emission taxis, and research and development funding for technology such as lighter vehicles and better car batteries.

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