Ballymena-based firm delivers 200 buses in first month of 2025
1,200 buses expected to leave production lines this year
Wrightbus, the Ballymena-based bus manufacturer, has announced its strongest start to a year, with nearly 200 buses entering service across the UK and Europe in January alone. The company expects 2025 to be a record year, driven by significant new orders and the launch of initiatives aimed at expanding its footprint in international markets.
Recent deliveries include 162 ultra-low emission Ultroliner double deck buses for Greater Manchester’s franchised Bee Network. These vehicles have entered service with Metroline Manchester and Go North West.
Meanwhile, in Germany, 31 hydrogen-powered Kite Hydroliners were delivered to RVK, forming part of Europe’s largest public transport
hydrogen fleet.
Also on the continent, Wrightbus has opened a dedicated service centre, AllServiceOne, in Brühl, Germany. With an investment of over £500,000, the facility will provide maintenance and support for buses across Europe, with a 15-strong team expected by the end of the year.
With significant orders for the year ahead, 2025 will be our strongest year ever
Wrightbus chief executive Jean-Marc Gales described the centre as a “significant milestone” for the company, ensuring European customers have easier access to its expertise while laying the foundation for a broader network of service facilities. The company has already hinted that this could include expanding its Bicester-based NewPower battery-electric bus repower solution there in the future (PT316).
Closer to home, the bus manufactuer has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with bus production increasing from 427 vehicles in 2022 to 1,016 in 2024. The company projects that more than 1,200 buses will leave its factory in 2025, which suggests growing demand for its low-emission, battery-electric and hydrogen-powered products both at home and overseas.
As part of its expansion, the company is now looking to grow its workforce, with hundreds of new roles available to meet increased production and
service demands.
“With significant orders for the year ahead, 2025 will be our strongest year ever,” said Gales. “January has already been a phenomenal month, with almost 200 new Wrightbus vehicles entering service in the UK and Germany.”
Further expansion is expected. The company has already hinted that it is looking to expand into the coach market with a hydrogen-powered vehicle. Expansion into other market segments is expected to be announced by Wrightbus in the coming weeks and months.
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.
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