Greater Manchester adds 125 Wrightbus e-buses to Bee Network fleet plan

Greater Manchester has ordered 125 additional electric buses from Wrightbus for the Bee Network.

Transport for Greater Manchester has confirmed a new order for 125 zero-emission buses from UK manufacturer Wrightbus, adding to a 55-vehicle order placed in March and to 76 electric buses previously purchased from the Ballymena-based company. According to TfGM, the new vehicles are part of the programme to move the Bee Network to a fully electric bus fleet by 2030.

TfGM places new Wrightbus order for Bee Network electrification

The latest order follows the delivery of the final batch of 76 previously purchased Wrightbus vehicles. These buses have been transported from Belfast to Birkenhead by ferry before reaching Go North West’s depot in Bolton.

Of the 76 buses, 33 electric double-deckers will operate on routes 8 and 10, serving Bolton, Farnworth, Pendlebury and Salford, making those routes fully electric. A further 43 specially modified vehicles for routes V1, V2 and V4 have passed inspection at the Ballymena factory and are due to enter service on the Leigh Guided Busway in the coming weeks.

The 125 newly ordered buses include 25 vehicles for Stagecoach, comprising 16 single-deck and nine double-deck electric buses. The remaining 100 vehicles have been ordered for Metroline and will operate from the Hyde Road depot, which is being upgraded to increase on-site electric bus charging capacity.

Depot upgrades and fleet targets in Greater Manchester

TfGM says half of Greater Manchester’s bus depots have been electrified so far. Ashton and Middleton are now fully electric, while Bolton, Oldham and Hyde Road have been upgraded.

By 2030, the Bee Network is expected to operate a fully electric bus fleet.

The Bee Network has also received almost 500 buses from Alexander Dennis (first 5 were handed over in 2023), built at the company’s Falkirk and Scarborough sites. According to TfGM, the Wrightbus order forms part of its procurement activity with UK-based manufacturers.

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “It is brilliant to see these new yellow electric buses come off the production line and onto the streets of Greater Manchester. There will be many more to come. Placing these orders for another 125 zero emission vehicles from Wrightbus puts the Bee Network on track to meet our target to have a fully electric fleet by 2030, bringing huge benefits for our passengers, air quality and fast-growing economy.”

Wrightbus Managing Director Christian Reynolds said: “This latest order for our battery-electric buses from TfGM builds on our existing fleet of vehicles in operation and reflects a strong commitment to UK manufacturing and the domestic supply chain. It demonstrates the competitiveness of both our product and our integrated supply ecosystem against international alternatives.

“For more than 80 years, Wrightbus has championed a UK-based supply chain. Thanks to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s highly successful franchising model, we are able to continue this proud tradition — enabling our supply chain partners to showcase their capabilities while supporting jobs, innovation and economic benefit across the UK”.