Wrightbus Ballymena delivers six ultra-low emission buses for Midlands Pathfinder Route

(L-R): Mick Campbell, Wrightbus Head of Sales (Key Accounts); NCT representatives Andy Thompson; Rob Sutcliffe; Anthony Carver-Smith; and David Conway; and John McLeister, Wrightbus MD of Sales for UK and Ireland.

Ballymena-based manufacturer Wrightbus has completed six new ultra-low emission StreetDeck Ultroliner buses destined for the Midlands, following a partnership with Nottingham City Transport (NCT).

The vehicles were recently inspected by NCT representatives during a visit to the Wrightbus factory in Northern Ireland, ahead of entering service on the operator’s long-distance Pathfinder route.

Founded in 1946, Wrightbus is one of Northern Ireland’s leading advanced manufacturing employers, supporting 2,300 direct jobs and a further 7,500 across its supply chain.

Its Ballymena facility has become a key hub for next-generation bus technology, including low-emission and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

New Ultroliners Built to High NCT Specification

The six StreetDeck Ultroliners have been purpose-built to NCT’s latest specification, delivering significant comfort and accessibility upgrades for passengers travelling between Nottingham, Burton Joyce, Lowdham and Southwell.

Features include free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, enhanced and more comfortable seating, space for two wheelchairs, an upper-deck table, hearing loops and improved next-stop displays visible throughout the vehicle.

NCT Head of Marketing and Projects, Anthony Carver-Smith, said:

“We were very pleased to be able to visit the Wrightbus factory and see the new Ultroliners for ourselves before they enter service soon. The new buses represent a significant upgrade to the buses currently operating on the Pathfinder 26 route, which are more than a decade old.

“The new buses are cleaner and quieter and provide a much more pleasant experience for passengers on this long-distance route.”

80% Reduction in NOx Emissions

The new Ultroliners replace 2014-built buses and achieve vastly improved environmental performance. As Ultra-Low Emission Bus (ULEB) accredited vehicles, they deliver an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and significantly lower particulate matter (PM) output.

Wrightbus says the vehicles demonstrate how the latest engineering technologies can improve air quality on longer routes where zero-emission buses remain challenging due to distance and infrastructure limitations.

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

“It was a pleasure to welcome the team from Nottingham City Transport to our factory in Northern Ireland and show them their new buses.

“We recognise that zero-emission buses are not suitable for every route, but through the combination of the latest technology both from our suppliers and from our teams in Ballymena we are able to produce a bus that keeps both noise and emissions to a minimum without compromising on passenger comfort.”

Strengthening Midlands Transport with Northern Irish Engineering

The new vehicles are expected to enter service on the Pathfinder route in the coming weeks, marking another milestone for Wrightbus’s growing footprint across UK public transport networks.

Their introduction supports ongoing regional efforts to reduce emissions, modernise fleets and improve the passenger experience on interurban routes.