Andy Burnham confirms 55 electric bus order during visit at Ballymena’s Wrightbus
- Love Ballymena
- 8 minutes ago
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(L-R) Christian Reynolds, Managing Director of Wrightbus; Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; John McLeister, Wrightbus Sales Managing Director for UK and Ireland
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed a new order for 55 electric buses from Ballymena manufacturer Wrightbus, reinforcing confidence in UK manufacturing and strengthening the region’s growing zero-emission transport network.
The announcement came during a visit to the company’s headquarters and factory in Ballymena on Saturday 14 March, where the mayor toured the production line and saw dozens of vehicles already being assembled for the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s integrated public transport system.
The latest order forms part of a £66 million investment in Wrightbus electric models, pushing the total number of buses purchased from the Northern Ireland manufacturer for Greater Manchester to 293 vehicles.
Growing electric fleet for the Bee Network
During the visit, Burnham was shown 76 electric double-deck buses from a previous order, currently in production at the Ballymena factory and expected to enter service across Greater Manchester from April.
The order is part of the Bee Network’s wider drive to modernise public transport and transition towards a fully electric bus fleet by 2030.
Speaking during his visit to the factory, Burnham said:
“Through local control of the Bee Network, we’re proving that when you invest properly in public transport, you don’t just transform how people get around, you drive real economic growth.
“This latest order for 55 new Wrightbus vehicles is part of our commitment to buy from UK-based manufacturers wherever we can to support and protect jobs, and strengthen our homegrown industries.
“It was brilliant to catch up with team at the Wrightbus headquarters and see the new yellow buses on the production line, set to be serving our Greater Manchester communities from next month.
“We’re moving at pace to modernise our fleet and, thanks to partnerships to industries here in the UK, are on track for a fully electric bus network by the end of the decade.”
Backing UK manufacturing
The Bee Network has prioritised sourcing buses from UK manufacturers where possible, with vehicles also supplied by Scottish-based Alexander Dennis from factories in Falkirk and Scarborough.
The strategy is designed to support domestic industry while delivering cleaner public transport, creating and safeguarding skilled jobs across the supply chain.
Founded in 1946, Wrightbus currently employs more than 2,100 people, with a further 7,500 jobs supported across the manufacturing supply chain.
According to the company, every £1 generated by Wrightbus creates £3 in the wider economy, with each job supporting three additional roles in associated industries.
John McLeister, Wrightbus Sales Managing Director for UK and Ireland, welcomed the mayor’s visit.
“We were delighted to welcome Mayor Andy Burnham and show him around the factory here in Ballymena.
“Orders like this aren’t just about creating jobs in Northern Ireland, this is about the ripple effect they can have across the whole UK supply chain, strengthening businesses like McKenna Brothers from Middleton in Manchester, who supply the blinds and screens for our buses.
“I’m glad to say that while some manufacturing sectors have been in decline in recent years, the UK still has a thriving bus industry of which we’re very proud to be part of, despite the constant threats of imports from overseas.”
Cleaner transport and improved air quality
The investment is also central to Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan, which aims to reduce pollution through cleaner buses, taxis and targeted traffic measures.
By the end of this year, around half of buses operating within Greater Manchester’s franchised network will be electric, compared with around 2% before buses were brought back under local control.
Across the Bee Network, zero- and low-emission buses are expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ every year—equivalent to the annual energy use of nearly 5,000 homes or more than 99 million miles driven by cars.
The new Wrightbus vehicles are also expected to cut 149 tonnes of nitrogen dioxide annually, helping improve air quality around known emissions hotspots and supporting better public health.
At a glance
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited Wrightbus in Ballymena on 14 March.
He confirmed a new order for 55 electric buses for the Bee Network.
The purchase is part of a £66 million investment in Wrightbus electric vehicles.
76 buses from a previous order are already in production and will enter service from April.
The latest order brings the total Wrightbus vehicles for Greater Manchester to 293.
Wrightbus employs over 2,100 staff, supporting 7,500 more jobs in the supply chain.
The Bee Network aims for a fully electric bus fleet by 2030.
Electric buses are expected to reduce 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ and 149 tonnes of nitrogen dioxide annually.
Around half of Greater Manchester’s franchised buses will be electric by the end of this year.