Further £2.2 million boost to supercharge electric buses across West Northants
16 March 2026
Passengers across West Northamptonshire are set for greener and quieter everyday journeys thanks to a further £2.2 million investment from the Government.
The funding will support the introduction of 17 brand‑new electric buses, adding to the 54 Government-funded buses already on their way, bringing the total to 71.
The first vehicles are currently being primed for service and are expected to hit the streets soon. These vehicles will replace some of the existing buses across Stagecoach’s fleet, helping cut harmful emissions and improve air quality for residents.
This latest boost expands the area’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme, following the joint project with Stagecoach announced in 2024. The Government’s total investment in this roll-out is £11.8m with Stagecoach contributing 28.1m.
Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said: “Buses are the backbone of our public transport system, and passengers in West Northamptonshire deserve a network they can rely on and be proud of.
“This funding will replace polluting diesel buses with new electric vehicles that will make a real difference to people's daily lives, better connecting them to work, to healthcare and to opportunity, whilst cleaning up the air we all breathe.
“We’re delivering better connections for people getting about their daily lives, and I'm proud to back the ambition in West Northants to do it.”
Cllr Richard Butler, West Northamptonshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This additional investment is a significant step forward for our ambition to deliver a cleaner, more modern bus fleet for residents across West Northamptonshire.
“In total, 71 electric buses have now been funded for our area, and we are working closely with Stagecoach to ensure these vehicles can begin entering service as soon as possible.
“We know how important reliable, sustainable transport is for our communities, and we are committed to ensuring these new buses are on our streets and delivering benefits for passengers and the environment.”
The buses will initially be targeted towards areas of West Northamptonshire with the greatest challenges in terms of air quality.
Mark Whitelocks, Managing Director of Stagecoach Midlands, said: “This additional investment is extremely welcome and we’re grateful to the Government and partners in West Northamptonshire for supporting the continued transition to greener public transport.
“These 17 new electric buses, adding to our ever-growing fleet, will play an important role in helping us deliver cleaner, quieter and more sustainable journeys for our customers across the region. They will not only improve the passenger experience but also help reduce emissions and improve air quality in the communities we serve.
“At Stagecoach Midlands we are committed to investing in modern, low-emission vehicles and working closely with local authorities to build a bus network that supports economic growth while helping the UK move towards its net zero ambitions.”