The money comes as part of the £3Bn National Bus Strategy announced two weeks ago. Government is asking transport authorities to team up with bus operators and manufacturers as well as energy companies to bid for a share of the so called Zero Emission Buses Regional Area – or ‘Zebra’ – fund. 

Expressions of interest from consortia to receive ‘fast track’ funding are invited until 21 May. Those who require more time to develop proposals have until 25 June to stake their claim.

The 500 zero emission buses covered by the latest announcement is part of a wider commitment made to introduce 4000 such buses.

Welcoming the news, the Campaign for Better Transport’s head of policy, research and projects Silviya Barrett said: “Zero emission buses are great news all round.”

Also this week Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham has pledged to take control of buses in the city, allowing local authorities to set routes, frequencies and fares. By the end of 2025, the Combined Authority aims to fully integrate buses with the rest of the public transport network.

It describes the move as the biggest change to the region’s bus network since deregulation in 1986 and says it will become the first city region outside of London to have fully franchised buses under local control.

“My decision will mean that we can integrate our buses as part of a joined up network, so passengers can easily switch between different types of transport,” Andy Burnham said. “It means simpler fares and ticketing with price capping, so no one pays more than they need to.”

(Photograph: National Express West Midlands)