Electric bus bid for transport committee

Transport chiefs in the North East are bidding for cash for a fleet of new zero-emission buses.

The North East Joint Transport Committee, in partnership with Go North East and Durham County Council, is aiming to put 73 electric buses on the roads with cash from a £120million Government scheme.

The Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme allows local transport authorities to bid for funding to purchase zero-emission buses.

Included among the targeted areas for electric vehicles is the Durham City Centre route and Durham’s Park and Ride system.

Cllr Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee said: “This is an exciting opportunity and I’m delighted we are moving towards submitting a business case for funding.

“Securing 73 additional electric buses would be great news for the region – another step forward in our ongoing fight to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions from cars on our region’s roads.

"Providing greener, sustainable public transport options is a key part of the North East Transport Plan so this is a very positive development.”

Chairman of NEbus and managing director at Go North East, Martin Gilbert, said: "We're excited to move to the next stage of the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area scheme. If we are serious about reducing congestion and improving air quality, then we need to get more people onboard public transport.

"Introducing more electric buses across the region will certainly play a fundamental role in helping us achieve this."