A BID to introduce zero emission buses in Redditch as part of a government scheme is one step closer, says the office of local MP Rachel Maclean.
The Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme is providing up to £120million to local transport authorities to support the introduction of the buses and the infrastructure needed to support them.
This scheme is part of the government’s commitment to decarbonisation and to reduce the transport sector’s contribution to CO2 emissions.
This includes:
Supporting the roll-out of the 4,000 zero emission buses across the country
To support bus manufacturers and other related suppliers in the development of zero emission bus technology
Provide innovative ways to overcome challenges of introducing zero emission buses and supporting infrastructure.
Worcestershire County Council, with the support of Mrs Maclean, a transport minister, submitted an expression of interest to the Department for Transport to access the funding available.
It’s now been announced that the county council has been successful in this first step and has now been asked to develop a full business case for investment.
Should Worcestershire again be successful, the proposed ZEBRA scheme would cover both Redditch and Bromsgrove.
“Having supported the county council’s bid, I’m thrilled our county has now been asked to prepare a full business case to access the funding available as part of the government’s zero emission bus regional areas scheme,” said Mrs Maclean.
“I made an election promise to deliver greener, more reliable buses in Redditch and I’m determined to fulfil this pledge I made to my constituents.
“Zero emission buses on our town’s roads will improve the air quality, reduce our CO2 emissions and contribute to reaching the UK’s world-leading target of Net Zero emissions by 2050.
“I will now work closely with the county council on their business case to ensure we submit the best possible bid.”
