A new £120m bus fund, named the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, has been launched by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Local transport authorities can bid for funding to purchase zero emission buses, with 500 zero emission vehicles expected to be acquired through it. The funding is derived from the wider £3bn of funding announced by the Government on March 15th.
Bidders will have until May 21st, 2021 to submit expressions of interest for a ‘fast track process,’ designed to speed up well-developed proposals. Authorities which need more time to develop their proposals will have until June 25th, 2021 to submit expressions of interest.
Reacting to the news, Confederation of Passenger Transport Head of Policy, Alison Edwards, said: “Today’s announcement is a welcome first step in delivering the Prime Minister’s 4,000 zero emission buses pledge and will also provide a welcome boost to bus manufacturers."
