'It was brilliant to catch up': Andy Burnham visits Ballymena as Greater Manchester agrees £66m order to buy 55 more zero-emission buses from Wrightbus
Major jobs and skills boost for Northern Ireland as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham confirms £66m Wrightbus order during Ballymena factory visit, with new electric buses already rolling off the production line
Ballymena manufacturer Wrightbus has secured a major new order from Greater Manchester for 55 additional electric buses, in a deal worth £66 million that provides a significant boost to Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector.
The latest purchase brings the total number of Wrightbus vehicles ordered for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network to 293, underlining the region’s commitment to transitioning to a fully electric bus fleet by 2030.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham confirmed the new order during a visit to the company’s factory in Ballymena, where he was given a tour of the facility and viewed buses currently in production.
The visit also highlighted progress already underway, with dozens of electric double-decker buses from a previous order being assembled and expected to enter service in the coming months. Further orders are anticipated later this year as the Bee Network continues its expansion.
Speaking during the visit, Andy Burnham said investing in public transport delivers both environmental and economic benefits.
He explained: “Through local control of the Bee Network, we’re proving that when you invest properly in public transport, you don’t just transform how people get around, you drive real economic growth.
“This latest order for 55 new Wrightbus vehicles is part of our commitment to buy from UK-based manufacturers wherever we can to support and protect jobs, and strengthen our homegrown industries.
“It was brilliant to catch up with team at the Wrightbus headquarters and see the new yellow buses on the production line, set to be serving our Greater Manchester communities from next month. We’re moving at pace to modernise our fleet and, thanks to partnerships to industries here in the UK, are on track for a fully electric bus network by the end of the decade.”
Wrightbus said the deal represents a strong vote of confidence in its workforce and operations in Ballymena, where the company employs thousands of people directly and supports many more jobs across its supply chain.
John McLeister, managing director of sales for the UK and Ireland at Wrightbus, said the benefits of the order would extend well beyond Northern Ireland.
He continued: "We were delighted to welcome Mayor Andy Burnham and show him around the factory here in Ballymena. Orders like this aren’t just about creating jobs in Northern Ireland, this is about the ripple effect they can have across the whole UK supply chain, strengthening businesses like McKenna Brothers, from Middleton in Manchester, who supply the blinds and screens for our buses.
"I’m glad to say that while some manufacturing sectors have been in decline in recent years, the UK still has a thriving bus industry of which we’re very proud to be part of, despite the constant threats of imports from overseas.”
The announcement has also been welcomed by Sian Mulholland, Alliance MLA for North Antrim, who described the order as “fantastic news” for both Wrightbus and local workers.
Speaking after meeting Andy Burnham at an Alliance Party conference last Saturday, Ms Mulholland said the investment highlights Northern Ireland’s role in advancing clean transport solutions.
She added: “This order is fantastic news for Wrightbus and for workers in Ballymena, demonstrating the strength of our advanced manufacturing sector and the vital role it plays in delivering the transition to cleaner transport across these islands.
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Andy Burnham at the Alliance Party conference today and to hear first-hand about Greater Manchester’s ambitions for the Bee Network. His visit to Ballymena and continued investment in Wrightbus is a strong endorsement of the innovation, quality and expertise that exists here in North Antrim.
“Orders like this support good local jobs, strengthen our economy and highlight how Northern Ireland businesses are contributing to climate solutions far beyond our region.
“As the Bee Network continues its transition towards a fully electric bus fleet by 2030, it is encouraging to see Ballymena playing such a central role in delivering the next generation of zero-emission public transport.”