First Wrightbus low-emission buses roll into Liverpool region

The first new Wrightbus ultra low-emission buses have begun arriving in Liverpool as part of a major investment to transform bus services across the region.

The new vehicles will play a central role as the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority brings buses back under public control for the first time in more than 40 years, with the first franchised services launching in the coming days.

Finished in the region's distinctive yellow, black and grey Metro livery, many of the buses have been built by Wrightbus at its manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland, supporting highly skilled jobs and reinforcing the importance of British bus manufacturing.

The vehicles form part of a £150 million investment in a new 560-strong fleet for the region, alongside more than 100 publicly owned electric buses already in service.

Designed with passengers in mind, the new buses feature air conditioning, USB charging points, more comfortable seating and enhanced accessibility, including additional space for wheelchairs and prams and audio-visual passenger information systems.

Built to the latest Euro 6 emissions standards, the buses will help improve air quality by delivering around a 20 per cent reduction in carbon emissions and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 80 per cent compared with many of the older buses currently operating across the region.

The vehicles have also been future-proofed to enable conversion to battery-electric operation as charging infrastructure and grid capacity are expanded, supporting the Liverpool City Region's ambition to deliver a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.

Christian Reynolds, Managing Director of Wrightbus, said: "Christian Reynolds, Managing Director of Wrightbus, said: "We're proud to play our part in the transformation of bus services across the Liverpool City Region, delivering ultra low-emission vehicles designed and built here in the UK. 

"This investment demonstrates the value of backing British manufacturing. By choosing UK-built buses, the Liverpool City Region is not only investing in better public transport but also supporting over 2,000 highly skilled manufacturing jobs at Wrightbus, and thousands more across the UK supply chain. We look forward to seeing these buses become a familiar sight on the region's roads as the network enters an exciting new chapter, offering passengers a cleaner, more comfortable and more accessible way to travel."

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "The arrival of these state-of-the-art, low-emission vehicles marks a massive milestone on our countdown to taking back control of our bus network. We are completely renewing our fleet with ultra-modern, accessible buses that give our residents the premium, reliable experience they deserve.

"This is about building a fully integrated transport network that is fit for the future. We are creating a system that connects our communities seamlessly – making public transport the first choice for the 1.6 million people who call the Liverpool City Region home.

"Starting now, when St Helens and Wirral lead the transition into public control, we will finally have the power to design a network that puts passengers first. Combined with our new battery-powered trains, electric buses, and our brand-new Mersey Ferry, we are modernising every corner of our transport network to drive our region forward."

Wrightbus, which is this year celebrating its 80th anniversary, has supplied more than 3,000 zero-emission buses to customers across the UK and internationally, while continuing to invest in innovation and manufacturing to support the transition to cleaner public transport.

The new Liverpool City Region fleet further strengthens Wrightbus' position as one of the UK's leading bus manufacturers, delivering vehicles that combine lower emissions, greater passenger comfort and long-term operational flexibility for transport authorities and operators alike.