Wrightbus is helping places like Greater Manchester on their transition to sustainable transport
Wrightbus delivered an average of 22 buses a week to operators throughout 2024
With more than 160 new Wrightbus vehicles going into service across the Bee Network at the start of this year, we understand the importance of keeping Greater Manchester moving.
With the impressive feat of regaining local control of all buses in the Greater Manchester area for the first time in 40 years, Transport for Greate Manchester (TfGM) is leading the way with its holistic transport strategy.
And much like TfGM, Wrightbus has been busy implementing its own transport strategy to ensure bus operators across the UK and beyond have comprehensive solutions to help with a greener future.
The choice to add 162 Wrightbus low emission Ultroliners and zero emission Electroliners to the streets of Manchester will not only improve the public transport network, but will provide local commuters with cleaner options for travel, helping to reduce emissions.
With hundreds of Wrightbus vehicles on the roads of towns and cities, these vehicles are travelling millions of miles and preventing thousands of tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
Wrightbus’s innovative approach to low-emission and zero-emission technology and sustainable manufacturing has positioned it as a leader in the global bus industry – and one perfectly placed to help Manchester realise its cleaner air ambitions.
Wrightbus is an industry leader, dominating the UK bus sector with a 40% market share, delivering an average of 22 buses a week to operators throughout 2024. The company has been named as the fastest-growing large manufacturer in the UK and the fastest-growing bus-maker in the whole of Europe.
“We are the number one zero-emissions bus maker in the UK,” says Wrightbus chief executive Jean-Marc Gales. “A year ago, we had 675 zero-emission buses on the road. Today, we have over 1,500, and in the next year, we will get to 2,800. No-one else comes close.”
Wrightbus is an industry leader, dominating the UK bus sector with a 40% market share
This exponential growth is reflected in production numbers. The company built over 1,000 buses in 2024, up from 623 in 2023 and 427 the year before. This upward trajectory highlights Wrightbus’s growing influence on both the domestic and international stages.
Since its inception in 1946, Wrightbus has been synonymous with technological innovation. However, its commitment to sustainability took a giant leap forward in 2019 when the company was acquired by green entrepreneur Jo Bamford. Under his leadership, Wrightbus shifted its focus to zero-emission technology, producing a range of single- and double-decker buses powered by battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The company’s flagship Electroliner buses offer an industry-unique advantage, with 86% commonality between single- and double-deck models. This shared design significantly reduces costs associated with parts inventory, training, and depot complexity for operators. For operators looking to modernise their fleets, this level of compatibility provides an efficient and cost-effective solution.
While zero-emission technology is the cornerstone of Wrightbus’s future strategy, the company acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible for every operator.
“The fact remains that not everyone has the funding to be able to make the switch to zero-emission,” says Gales. “As a result, we believe in a blended approach of responsible technologies: battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and the cleanest diesel technologies to ensure all our customers can continue to decarbonise as quickly as possible, whilst still maintaining financially viable operations.”
To meet this need, Wrightbus recently unveiled the next generation of diesel buses. The StreetDeck Ultroliner is equipped with a Cummins B6.7-litre six-cylinder diesel engine, paired with Voith’s latest DIWA.8 NXT 7-speed transmission. By integrating Wrightbus’s proprietary Micro Hybrid technology, the StreetDeck Ultroliner achieves ultra-low emissions.
This approach allows operators to transition to cleaner technologies without the need for immediate, large-scale investments in zero-emission fleets. The new diesel buses act as a bridge, allowing public transport providers to maintain operations while gradually working toward net-zero targets.
A groundbreaking development from Wrightbus which can help in this sustainability goal is the launch of NewPower, which converts 4-10 year old diesel-powered buses into zero-emission electric vehicles. Operating from a state-of-the-art factory in Oxfordshire, NewPower aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of public transport at a lower cost than purchasing new buses.
“There is a huge market of mid-life buses which, once converted, can have an immediate impact on helping to improve air quality in towns and cities up and down the UK,” says Gales.
By retrofitting buses already in service, NewPower extends the life cycle of existing vehicles and provides operators with a cost-effective path to decarbonisation.
The benefits of this initiative are multifaceted. For one, operators avoid the financial burden of purchasing new buses. Additionally, the process of converting buses rather than scrapping them reduces waste.
By promoting UK manufacturing, Wrightbus helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with supply chain logistics
And every bus that Wrightbus produces or NewPower repowers is backed by an unrivalled aftersales team, All Service One, that looks after servicing, diagnostics and warranty support covering chassis, body and EV specialisms. With speedy response times, core stock available for overnight delivery, and a comprehensive telematics provision via Uptime 365, operators can be confident that they can optimise vehicle reliability and availability.
Beyond technological advancements, Wrightbus’s work has a profound impact on the wider economy. The company currently supports 2,000 green jobs directly at its Ballymena headquarters in Northern Ireland, with plans to recruit a further 500 staff across multiple specialisms in 2025. It has a comprehensive apprenticeship programme and strong links with local universities.
“We want the very best talent to work here, complementing the skills of our diverse, talented, 2,000-strong workforce,” says Gales.
But the ripple effect is far greater. Every job at Wrightbus supports three more across the UK’s supply chain. More than 6,000 jobs in the supply chain are already supported by the growth of Wrightbus, which has worked with over 1,000 suppliers across the UK since it was bought out of administration in 2019.
Gales says: “Our growth is thanks to the incredible support we receive from our customers and of course from our workforce. We could not achieve this growth without the commitment of each of them.
“We are selling in the UK, so we believe in supporting the UK economy. Our ecosystem includes suppliers from 47 counties across the United Kingdom, generating thousands of jobs and millions of pounds in revenue for businesses producing everything from heating systems and powertrains to laser cutting and fabrication. We all share in this success.”
The company’s commitment to a sustainable future extends beyond its products. By promoting UK manufacturing, Wrightbus helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with supply chain logistics. The investment in UK jobs also supports the national economy.
For Wrightbus, transport is about more than moving people from one place to another. It’s about shaping a better, cleaner, and more inclusive world. As cities such as Manchester strive to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and support equitable mobility, Wrightbus’s technology plays a pivotal role in achieving those goals.
The future of Wrightbus is one of growth, innovation, and sustainability. With its ambitious goal of having 2,800 zero-emission buses on the road by the end of 2025, the company is well-positioned to lead the charge in transforming global public transport. By blending cutting-edge battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and ultra-clean diesel technologies, Wrightbus is ensuring that operators have the flexibility and tools they need to succeed in the transition to cleaner transport.
Wrightbus’s vision for the future of public transport is clear: a world where clean, efficient, and affordable buses drive the shift toward a sustainable future. The company’s achievements in zero-emission technology, diesel innovation, and fleet retrofitting demonstrate a commitment to providing practical, cost-effective solutions for operators and local authorities alike.
Wrightbus’s vision for the future of public transport is clear: a world where clean, efficient, and affordable buses drive the shift toward a sustainable future
Wrightbus is setting the standard for sustainable transport. Its approach of blending zero-emission and clean diesel technology ensures that no operator is left behind in the transition to greener public transport.
“Our ambition from day one has been to reduce the environmental impact of public transport – slashing emissions in our towns and cities quicker than any other industry – and we will remain committed to investing in the best technology to develop even more efficient solutions,” says Gales. “Working hand-in-hand with operators and local authorities in areas such as Greater Manchester, where there is a comprehensive Clean Air Plan in place, is incredibly satisfying for us as manufacturers as we strive for a sustainable future.
“But there is no room for standing still; innovation has been at the core of our business since we were founded in 1946, and we continue to dedicate enormous amounts of time, money and effort into staying ahead of the curve.”
This story appears inside the latest issue of Passenger Transport.
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