Ballymena bus builder Wrightbus expands into Australia with major zero-emission push

Jo Bamford CBE, Executive Chairman of Wrightbus

Wrightbus is expanding into Australia as the Ballymena-based manufacturer continues to grow its international footprint and strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading zero-emission bus makers.

The move marks another significant milestone for the company, which this year celebrates its 80th anniversary and now has more than 3,000 zero-emission buses in service across the UK and Europe. It also follows a series of major international contract wins, reinforcing the company’s growing influence in the global transition to cleaner public transport.

The new Australian operation will be officially launched at the Australasia Bus & Coach Expo in Sydney on Tuesday, July 15, where Wrightbus will outline its long-term commitment to working with operators, governments and industry partners to help accelerate the country’s shift to zero-emission transport.

Building on decades of international experience

Although the launch represents a new chapter, Wrightbus is no stranger to the Australian market, having first exported buses to Canberra around 30 years ago.

The company says its latest expansion goes much further than selling vehicles. It plans to invest in local capability, build partnerships across the region and support Australia’s transition to cleaner public transport using expertise gained from operating zero-emission fleets across the UK, Europe and Asia.

Collectively, Wrightbus’s battery-electric and hydrogen-powered buses have travelled more than 200 million emission-free kilometres worldwide.

Three vehicles are being introduced to the Australian market: the Kite battery-electric single deck, the Kite hydrogen fuel cell single deck and the StreetDeck 6x2 battery-electric double decker.

The two Kite models have already secured approval on the Transport for New South Wales procurement panel, allowing operators to order them immediately.

Meanwhile, the StreetDeck continues to gain international momentum after a recent order for 20 vehicles by City Bus in Hong Kong.

Long-term commitment

Jo Bamford CBE, Executive Chairman of Wrightbus, described Australia as an important strategic market.

“Australia represents a hugely important market for Wrightbus, and we are delighted to be back with a renewed focus and a long-term commitment to supporting the country’s transition to zero-emission public transport.”

Managing Director Christian Reynolds said the company’s ambitions extended beyond simply supplying buses.

“Our vehicles are already proving themselves every day in cities around the world, and we’re excited to share that experience with Australian customers.

“This is about more than supplying buses; it’s about building partnerships, creating ecosystems, supporting jobs and developing sustainable transport solutions for decades to come.”

He added that collaboration with local partners would be central to helping operators modernise fleets while benefiting from Wrightbus’s international experience.

Northern Ireland success story

The expansion has also been welcomed by Invest Northern Ireland, which has supported the company as it enters the Australian market.

Richard Ennis, Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand at Invest NI, said Wrightbus’s growth demonstrated Northern Ireland’s strengths in advanced manufacturing and clean technology.

Justinian Habner, Head of Asia Pacific at Invest NI, said increasing investment in decarbonisation across the region created significant opportunities for the Ballymena manufacturer.

Today, Wrightbus employs more than 2,300 people across manufacturing operations in the UK and Malaysia. Its wider supply chain is worth more than £300 million annually and supports a further 7,500 jobs.

The Australian business will be led by Regional Director Asia Pacific Daniel Castro and Head of Sales for Australia and New Zealand Julian Gurney, who will oversee the company’s expansion and develop relationships with transport operators across the country.

The launch represents another significant international step for Wrightbus as demand for battery-electric and hydrogen-powered buses continues to grow worldwide.