Warrington bids to become UK’s first all-electric bus town

Warrington Borough Council has launched a bid with the Department for Transport (DfT) to become the UK’s first all-electric bus town.

In an expression of interest to the DfT, the council has stressed that having the UK’s first all-electric bus fleet would be a vital scheme in raising both the profile of Warrington as a place to live and work, but also to support the council’s ambitions for greener and cleaner transport options throughout the borough.

The council said Warrington’s air quality is something it is working hard to improve, and an all-electric bus fleet would provide a unique opportunity to make a positive change.

Warrington’s Own Buses, a municipal operator, covers 80% of the bus mileage in the borough and so the council is suggesting that there is also an opportunity for the company to invest in an electric fleet that can be maintained and overseen in partnership with the council.

Cllr Hans Mundry, Cabinet member responsible for transport, said: “We have been actively working on ensuring that our transport plans are made cleaner and greener and contribute to our ambitions to make Warrington a more sustainable place.

“The opportunity to bid to have the UK’s first all-electric bus fleet was too good an opportunity to miss and would substantially support our commitment to tackling the climate emergency.

“This isn’t a pipe dream. This is something I am absolutely convinced we have the combined energy, knowledge and partnership-oriented approach to make our vision to be the UK’s first fully electric bus town a reality.”