Group outlines the progress it has made towards rolling out zero-emission buses and infrastructure
Go-Ahead operates over 1,100 zero-emission buses, either in service or on order
The world faces a critical climate challenge that requires immediate action. As a leading global public transport operator, Go-Ahead recognises the vital role that public transport plays in reducing emissions, enhancing air quality, and improving public health.
Transport accounts for just over a quarter of the UK’s emissions, making it a key player in the journey to net zero. This involves not only decarbonising our fleet – both bus and rail – but also encouraging a shift from private vehicles to public transport. Together, public transport can make a meaningful and rapid impact on reducing emissions.
We operate over 1,100 zero-emission buses, either in service or on order, encompassing both battery electric and hydrogen fuel types
Go-Ahead is at the forefront of the zero-emission bus transition. Over the past decade, we have pioneered this movement with the UK and Europe’s first all-electric bus garage at Waterloo in central London. As our experience has grown, with zero-emission bus operations now covering 19 depots across our UK and international geographies, so has our fleet. We operate over 1,100 zero-emission buses, either in service or on order, encompassing both battery electric and hydrogen fuel types.
From London to Manchester, Newcastle to Brighton, Oxford to Singapore, we are rolling out zero-emission buses across our network and working closely with local authorities on the transition. A great example of this is the award of funding support from the Department for Transport (DfT) for the introduction of 201 zero-emission buses in Regional UK as part of the Zero-Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.
Looking ahead, we are accelerating our decarbonisation agenda with a goal to achieve a UK-wide zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. We plan to invest £550m over the next three years to advance our zero-emissions bus operations, including the acquisition of 1,200 of the latest generation zero-emission buses and installation of charging infrastructure at our depots.
We are uniquely positioned to leverage our leadership, expertise and innovation to share best practices and accelerate transition to net zero – a challenge we are eager to lead.
Go-Ahead’s decarbonisation journey from inception to current day
Leading the way in London
Our net zero journey began in 2013 with the trial of the first modern electric bus in England, in partnership with Transport for London. More than a decade later, we are London’s largest operator of zero-emission buses with more than 600 currently in operation. We have continued to drive electric bus innovation in London. Our Northumberland Park depot features one of the largest overnight charging facilities in the UK with capacity for over 100 vehicles, while our Bexleyheath depot boasts rapid-charging pantograph technology, providing fast, high-power top-ups for our bus fleet.
Our decarbonisation journey in London has been a catalyst for similar achievements across Go-Ahead. This includes the launch of our Zero-Emission Centre of Excellence, which consolidates expertise from our bus operations worldwide to develop best practice in purchasing, operating and maintaining zero-emission buses, managing battery life, and training drivers.
Award-winning all-electric city in Oxford
In Oxford, Go-Ahead was part of a multi-operator partnership that created an ‘all-electric’ bus city with 104 zero-emission buses. This initiative is set to save over 4,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and eliminate more than 35,000 litres of diesel usage each week. Working with the local authority, we have fostered a safer, cleaner, and greener environment for our customers.
Accompanying the introduction of zero-emission buses are traffic filters that will improve bus journey times in the city by at
least 10%. Each electric bus significantly benefits the environment by producing zero tailpipe emissions, reducing harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
By reducing these emissions, our fleet in the city now contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment. A recent air quality report from the local authority in Oxford revealed that emissions from buses have decreased by half with our fleet contributing less pollution than cars in the city centre.
In June 2024, this groundbreaking commitment was recognised with the Transport Project of the Year award at the UK Green Business Awards.
New initiatives in Manchester
In partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, we deployed 50 zero-emission buses across the Bee Network in the past 12 months. This partnership has been crucial in developing an integrated, innovative, and environmentally friendly bus network, allowing Greater Manchester to specify routes, service levels, and fares, ultimately enhancing passenger outcomes.
Partnership will make the difference
Achieving our net-zero targets relies on partnership. By developing innovative solutions with local authority partners and suppliers – such as using solar panels on our buses in the south of England and Singapore – we harness power to generate electricity, reduce carbon emissions and lower fuel and maintenance costs.
We will always focus on the environmental benefit for our customers, people and the communities we serve, all of which are the heart of what we do everyday.
We are proud of our success in the zero-emission bus transition to date and recognise that there is significant progress still needed. We are committed to leading the transition to net zero and look forward to continuing to play our role as a leader in zero-emission transport.
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.
DON’T MISS OUT – GET YOUR COPY! – click here to subscribe!