Warrington secures £20m for all-electric bus fleet

As part of the Chancellor’s Budget announcements, the Department for Transport has confirmed the town has been successful in its application for £21.5m in zero emission bus regional area (ZEBRA) funding, first announced by the Prime Minister in 2020, to support the introduction of up to 4,000 zero-emission buses across the country.

It paves the way for the replacement of Warrington’s Own Buses’ entire fleet of diesel buses with 120 new electric buses.

The municipal bus operator, which is wholly-owned by the council, covers 85 per cent of the bus mileage in the borough, so the conversion of its fleet to all-electric is set to bring a huge boost to the authority’s ambitions to introduce ‘greener and cleaner’ transport options throughout the town.

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Independently of ZEBRA, the council is committed, as part of the Warrington Town Deal to delivering a new bus depot – relocating the Warrington’s Own Buses depot from its current site to a purpose-built new depot on Dallam Lane.

Work on the site will begin in December and the successful ZEBRA bid means the council can forge ahead with plans to equip the new depot with electric vehicle charging infrastructure, ready to house the new fleet of zero emission buses.

The Labour-run council’s commitment to green energy will also see the new buses charged by green electricity, including from the council’s solar farm in Cirencester. Solar canopy/panels will be installed at the new depot, funded by the council.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: “Securing this funding is absolutely fantastic news for Warrington. It will enable us to make huge strides in decarbonising our transport system as we work towards a zero-carbon future.

“The introduction of an all-electric bus fleet, charged by renewable energy, will bring massive benefits to our town.

“It will improve air quality, supporting our work to tackle the climate emergency. It will also provide more environmentally friendly, modern and attractive bus services, encouraging more local people to choose this mode of transport.

“At the same time, this project will put our town at the forefront of delivering sustainable, zero emissions public transport, further enhancing our reputation as forward-thinking location to live, work, and do business.”

Chair of Warrington’s Own Buses and deputy council leader, Cllr Cathy Mitchell, said: “We welcome this funding, which will bring transformational improvements to bus services in Warrington.

“The investment in an all-electric bus fleet has the potential to be a real game-changer, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions while providing a modern bus service we can all be proud of. It will help transform perceptions of public transport in our town, supporting our work to drive growth in bus usage.”

The total cost of the ZEBRA project over 17 years is £50 million. In total, £21.5 million will be provided by ZEBRA grant funding, with the council and Warrington’s Own Buses providing the remaining cash.

The Government announcement is part of a £70 million investment into zero emission buses in a number of towns designed to improve connectivity, help working families, support business and drive economic growth as the country recovers from the pandemic.

Tory Warrington South MP Andy Carter said: “Local people have consistently told me that they want to see frequent, reliable bus services across Warrington South.

MP Andy Carter with Warrington’s Own Buses managing director Ben Wakerley

“This is a fantastic announcement for the town. On the back of today’s commitment we’ll see a big investment into modern, clean and efficient public transport in our town – which will allow the money saved from operating an older diesel fleet can go into providing better services where they are most needed.

“I’ve worked closely with Department of Transport ministers, Warrington’s Own Buses & council officers who submitted a plan which I was happy to endorse to secure around £25 million investment for our town.

“The Chancellor is listening and delivering on his commitment to invest right across the North of England.

“As well as connecting areas across the town we also need to ensure we have good links to neighbouring areas and this investment allows Warrington’s Own Buses to do just that.

“I’m committed to speaking up for Warrington South in Westminster and so that we can secure the investment we need to move our town forward.” Chancellor Rishi Sunak says the Budget delivers a stronger economy for the whole of the UK with the north west receiving support to ‘drive business growth, boost the local economy and help working families with the cost living’.