'We are incredibly proud of our roots here in Northern Ireland': Wrightbus to mark 80th anniversary with major heritage bus and coach rally to Stormont

Dozens of heritage buses will take to the roads of Northern Ireland this weekend as manufacturer Wrightbus begins its 80th anniversary year with a landmark rally culminating at Stormont.

Taking place on Saturday, April 25, the bus and coach rally will see enthusiasts come together to showcase vehicles spanning generations of Wrightbus engineering, including classic models and the company’s latest innovations.

The event, which takes place between 10am and 5pm, will begin at the Ulster Transport Museum in Cultra before making its way to Stormont, where the vehicles are expected to arrive at about 12.30pm.

A free shuttle service operated by preserved buses will run throughout the event, giving attendees the opportunity to experience the iconic vehicles first-hand.

In addition, a special Wrightbus anniversary tour will depart at 12pm, celebrating the company’s rich heritage and contribution to public transport.

John McLeister, managing director of Sales for UK and Ireland at Wrightbus, said: “This event is a fantastic way to celebrate 80 years of Wrightbus and to bring together the community of enthusiasts, operators and partners who have supported us over the decades.

“At the same time, this milestone is about looking forward as much as looking back. From heritage models to our latest zero-emission buses, this event showcases how far we’ve come and where we are heading as we continue to lead innovation in sustainable transport.

“We are incredibly proud of our roots here in Northern Ireland. Wrightbus has been at the heart of local manufacturing, supporting skilled jobs and building vehicles that have served communities across the UK and Ireland, as well as further afield.”

Founded in 1946, Wrightbus pioneered aluminium bus framing and low-floor technology as well as building the iconic London ‘Boris’ bus and the world’s first hydrogen double-decker.

The business was bought out of administration by Jo Bamford in 2019 and employs 2,300 people across its worldwide operations, with a further 7,500 jobs in the supply chain.

Mr McLeister added: “For 80 years, Wrightbus has proudly been at the forefront of manufacturing, leading innovation in the industry while supporting thousands of jobs at our factory and across the wider supply chain in Ireland and throughout the UK.

“Every bus we produce is designed, engineered, built, tested and delivered from our factory in Northern Ireland to customers across the globe, and we remain committed to investing in the future of clean, efficient public transport.”

Due to limited parking at the museum, attendees are encouraged to use public transport. A half-hourly train service operates between Belfast and Cultra, while Ulsterbus services from Laganside Buscentre will stop outside the museum.