From Ballymena to net zero: Minister sees future of travel as 322 zero-emission buses hit roads

Minister Kimmins is pictured with Sarah Schaefer, ESG Director and John McLeister, Managing Director of Sales for the UK and Ireland

The push to decarbonise Northern Ireland’s transport network took centre stage in Ballymena this week as Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins visited Wrightbus to see first-hand how the sector is shaping the journey to net zero.

Touring the factory floor, the Minister met staff and viewed progress on zero-emission bus technology that is already transforming public transport across Northern Ireland.

Minister Kimmins said:

“I have made clear my commitment to delivering greener, cleaner, sustainable transport to help tackle the climate crisis, this includes decarbonising the Translink fleet.

“The technologies developed by Wrightbus are at the forefront of this and over recent years they have provided a series of modern buses including hydrogen and electric buses, with 322 of them now in service across the north.

“I was pleased to visit the Wrightbus factory and see at first-hand this vital work being taken forward and meet some of the staff involved in the delivery. Wrightbus has had a major role to play in helping us work towards our net zero targets and we look forward to continuing to engage with them in the future.”

Her visit comes as efforts continue to reduce emissions from public transport, with hydrogen and battery-electric vehicles forming a key part of the strategy to modernise fleets and cut carbon output.

For Ballymena, the significance is both environmental and economic. Wrightbus, long established in the town, has become a central player in the shift towards zero-emission technology, supplying hundreds of buses now operating across Northern Ireland.

John McLeister, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, said:

“I am delighted to see the Minister for Infrastructure in our factory and it has been a real pleasure showing her behind the scenes.

“Wrightbus is leading the way globally in zero-emission technology. These visits are not about photos and handshakes – they’re about underlining how important businesses like Wrightbus are to the local economy, creating jobs not just here in Ballymena but around the country as a whole.”

With 322 hydrogen and electric buses already in service, the visit underscores the growing role of advanced manufacturing in meeting climate commitments while sustaining skilled employment locally.

As the transport sector continues its transition, engagement between government and industry is set to remain central to how quickly — and how effectively — net zero ambitions become operational reality.