Infrastructure Minister visits Wrightbus to view progress on journey to Net Zero Public Transport

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon visited Wrightbus today to see the new Zero Emission Buses that are due to start to enter the Translink fleet and be put into public service over the coming months.

Ian Gillot (Group Director Parts and Service Wrightbus); Kirsty McBride (Wrightbus Finance Director), Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, Nicola McCloskey (Wrightbus HR Director) and Neil Collins (Wrightbus Managing Director).

The Minister toured the factory and met the team that are delivering  a total of 183 new zero and low emission buses, which represents a total investment in excess of £104 million with Wrightbus over the last three years. These orders include 138 Zero Emission Buses which will soon be on our roads.

Minister Mallon said:

“I am committed to delivering cleaner, greener, sustainable infrastructure. I have been clear that tackling the climate crisis is a priority for me and I am committed to building a better future where we make zero/low emission public transport accessible to communities across the North. My efforts are focused on making public transport carbon net zero as quickly as possible by delivering a step change on this journey to a greener future. This is a future where our public transport leaves behind a reduced carbon footprint on our planet and where the air we breathe is cleaner as we tackle the climate crisis rather than exacerbate it.

“In line with this commitment I previously allocated funding of almost £74million for the purchase of 145 zero and low emission buses for the Translink fleet. The first of these are due to go into passenger service in the next few weeks which will be another exciting milestone on this journey to net zero.  When all the buses arrive and are in service Translink will have the fourth largest fleet across these islands of zero emission buses.

“In November I was also delighted to announce additional funding of £30million for the purchase of 38 new zero emission battery electric buses for the Foyle Metro fleet. This significant leap will see the city’s entire urban fleet replaced with electric buses making it one of the first cities across these islands to have a fully zero-emission bus fleet when all the vehicles go into passenger service in 2023.

“Wrightbus are delivering both these significant projects for us so I am delighted to be here today to see at first hand the expertise and technology they use and to meet with the staff helping us drive forward cleaner, greener public transport across the North for now and for future generations.”

Notes to editors: 

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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