Ballymena-built Wrightbus marks milestone as 500th electric bus enters service in Manchester
Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner, with the new buses
Monday 19 October 2026
Ballymena bus manufacturer Wrightbus is celebrating a major milestone after its 500th electric bus entered service in Greater Manchester, highlighting the company's growing role in transforming public transport across the UK.
The zero-emission vehicle, built at the company's Ballymena factory, travelled across the Irish Sea by ferry before being delivered to Stagecoach's upgraded depot in Oldham, where it is now carrying passengers across the region.
The milestone represents another significant achievement for the Northern Ireland manufacturer, supporting skilled employment in Ballymena while strengthening its position in the UK's transition towards cleaner public transport.
Electric bus fleet grows from 35 to more than 500
The landmark delivery comes three years after Transport for Greater Manchester began bringing bus services under public control, when just 35 electric buses were operating across the city region.
That figure has now grown to more than 500, supported by major investment in electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to operate them.
The electrification of additional bus depots means a further 163 new electric buses can now be delivered and introduced into service, with the last three orders placed this calendar year going to Wrightbus.
Greater Manchester is working towards having a fully electric bus fleet by 2030, with the transition expected to reduce annual emissions by more than 76,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 280 tonnes of nitrogen oxides.
Ballymena manufacturing supports jobs and skills
Mr Everitt with some of the team at the recently electrified Oldham depot.
Christian Reynolds, Managing Director at Wrightbus, said the milestone demonstrated the importance of British manufacturing and the wider economic benefits of the company's supply chain.
“For more than 80 years, Wrightbus has championed a UK-based supply chain. Building these buses at our factory not only provides direct jobs and skills in Northern Ireland but also creates additional employment here in Greater Manchester.
"We have developed strong ties with companies such as McKenna Brothers and North West Seating, meaning every Wrightbus on the streets of Manchester is serving the local community in more ways than one.
“The Bee Network is the blueprint for city public transport. As a proud partner, and manufacturer of the landmark 500th electric bus, Wrightbus is honoured to be playing a leading role in Greater Manchester’s ongoing transition to zero-emission public transport."
Greater Manchester highlights cleaner transport benefits
Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, welcomed the milestone and pointed to the scale of the transformation achieved over the past three years.
“In just three years, we’ve gone from having just 35 zero emissions buses in Greater Manchester to more than 500 brand new electric buses serving our communities. Now we’ve electrified another two depots, we’re ready for even more to take to our streets.
“Residents deserve modern, cleaner and quieter buses, and this is proof of what taking back control of public transport can achieve. By cutting emissions we’re also improving air quality in our communities, whilst at the same time backing UK manufacturing businesses.”
For Wrightbus, the 500th vehicle marks more than a delivery milestone. With further electric buses due to enter service and Greater Manchester targeting a fully electric fleet by 2030, the programme demonstrates the continuing contribution of Ballymena manufacturing to the future of public transport across the UK.
