West Midlands mayor welcomes arrival of new electric bus fleet
The mayor of the West Midlands says the region is "leading the way" on green public transport, after a fleet of new electric double decker buses was unveiled.National Express West Midlands has rolled out 170 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 double-decker vehicles as part of a £95 million investment.The firm now operates 329 electric buses in the region, meaning nearly a quarter of the fleet is now zero emissions."That means cleaner air, quieter streets and a more comfortable, reliable service for passengers," said mayor Richard Parker.
National Express West Midlands said each electric bus saves an average of 61 tonnes of carbon annually, reducing carbon emissions by almost 20,000 tonnes every year.Bus strategy and commercial director Antony Goozee said the new buses would help the firm on its way towards a fully zero-emission fleet by 2030."These new clean, green double-decker buses are not just about improving efficiency and reducing our environmental impact - they also deliver a better experience for our passengers with quieter, smoother and more comfortable journeys," he added.
The operator has also completed a major infrastructure upgrade of its Yardley Wood depot, which dates back to 1938.It has been modernised with a new advanced charging infrastructure "as part of ongoing efforts to future-proof its operations and ensure long-term sustainability in its services," said Mr Goozee.He added that an electrification upgrade of the Perry Barr depot was also due to be completed in the next few weeks."Buses are the backbone of our network, with over half a million trips made in the region each day," said Mr Parker."That's why we continue to work closely with our bus operators to decarbonise public transport and support our green transport revolution for a cleaner and healthier West Midlands, while creating a network which works for everyone."
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
West Midlands to host Regional Investment Summit in autumn
A flagship investment summit, due to be held in the West Midlands, has been described as a "huge vote of confidence" in the region by mayor Richard Investment Summit – West Midlands 2025 is due to be held in the autumn, with further details yet to be event is expected to attract investors and business leaders from around the said it would align with the government's industrial strategy and highlight specific investment opportunities. "This will be a national platform to promote investment in our region and a major opportunity to spotlight the talent, innovation and potential of the West Midlands," Parker Rachel Reeves said the government recognised the importance of regional growth to help ensure a strong national West Midlands Growth Company chief executive Neil Rami said the summit was welcome news."It underscores the region as central to the government's ambitions to attract investment, create high-quality jobs and drive long-term national economic growth," he said."It presents a unique opportunity for the West Midlands to take centre stage and showcase its strengths to international decision makers." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- BBC News
West Midlands 'economic transformation' with £2.4bn funding
Mayor Richard Parker said plans are already in place to deliver metro links in Birmingham, as £2.4 billion investment for the West Midlands was announced by Chancellor Rachel funding, announced before the government's spending review next week, will go towards extending services from the city centre to the new sports Parker told the BBC that the money, matched with the £3 billion investment from private investor Tom Wagner, will help create links to the city for some of its most deprived areas. He said it would create up to 8,000 jobs as part of an "economic transformation" that he has always been committed to delivering. Mr Parker told BBC Radio WM: "Its fantastic news, it's a great day for the city and for the region."We've been to number 10 Downing Street, we've met with the Transport Secretary, and we put the case forward with conviction."The new transport link will connect the community to where the opportunities are, where the jobs are - this is just the start of it."He also said the investment would "unlock" the transport commitments he's made, adding: "It'll be paying for itself three or four times over, and the uplift will be given to some of our most disadvantaged communities in East Birmingham."The BBC understands a further £250 million will be awarded by the government next week. Speaking on the timeline of the plans - which would connect the city centre to the HS2 at Curzon Street, through Digbeth and up to the sports quarter - Mr Parker said the work on planning has already agreement with HS2 is already in place to begin tunnelling under Curzon Street to move the metro from the city centre, he the project is "a couple years away from significant progress", Mr Parker said there was no shortage of "commitment or conviction". An outline planning application is due to be submitted in the autumn. Mr Parker said: "There's going to be action on a multiple number of fronts to deliver the project as fast as possible."Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said the announcement reflected a "welcome shift" toward a city region-led said: "Investment in the transport networks of our city regions is a critical step toward boosting local economies, by helping people access jobs and education opportunities more easily." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
What are the transport projects being funded in the spending review?
Here the PA news agency looks at some of the schemes being funded. – A new tram network in Leeds Leeds is the largest city in western Europe without a mass transit system, with proposals to reinstate trams ongoing for decades. The Leeds Supertram project first emerged in the 1980s but was dropped in 2005. The Conservative government gave its support for Leeds to have a mass transit system in the integrated rail plan published in November 2021, to coincide with the decision to axe the planned HS2 extension to the city. Services on a tram network are expected to launch in the mid-2030s and will link Leeds with Bradford and other areas. – Extension of Birmingham's tram network Birmingham's tram network will be extended (Alamy/PA) The West Midlands Metro will be extended from Birmingham city centre to a new sports quarter in Bordesley Green. This will be the first phase of West Midlands mayor Richard Parker's ambition to deliver mass transit from east Birmingham to north Solihull. – Enhancing Greater Manchester's tram network New Metrolink stops will be opened in Bury and Oldham, and the line will be extended to Stockport. Also, the city's public transport Bee Network will become fully electric by 2030, including through the purchase of 1,000 new electric buses. – Extending the Tyne and Wear Metro The tram network will be extended from Newcastle to Sunderland via Washington. – Improvements to buses in the Liverpool City Region New rapid bus routes will serve Liverpool John Lennon Airport and both Liverpool and Everton's football stadiums. – Expanding Middlesbrough railway station A third platform will be built at the station to boost capacity. – A new mass transit system to connect Derby and Nottingham This will feature road, rail and bus improvements across the Trent Arc corridor.
