A delayed announcement of a £30million award from the low Emission Bus Scheme for clean bus technology has been made by Transport Minister Andrew Jones. This confirmed support for a total of 13 bids for 326 new buses, and the infrastructure to support them.

The announcement was intended to be made in January, but was held up due to discussions with the EU regarding state aid rules.

The biggest grant, of £5million, is to Transport for London for 34 electric buses, while Merseytravel is to receive just under this for 72 biomethane, electric, and hybrid buses – including £280,000 for infrastructure.

Nottingham City Transport have received £4.4million, for 53 biomethane buses, including £1.5million for infrastructure. They are intending to invest a further £12.4million on top of this grant, to install gas fuelling facilities at its Parliament Street Garage. The first of their new buses from Scania/ADL will be in operation by this time next year.

Reading Buses are also investing in gas buses, and are intending to spend their £1.7million award on 16 double deckers and related infrastructure, to join their existing fleet of 34 gas powered buses. They have also previously announced an order for five gas double decker buses from Scania/ADL in April, which they said did not involve any public subsidy.

Birmingham City Council and Transport for London are also introducing 42 hydrogen fuel cell buses, the bid for which was £3.8million.

“Greener buses are good for passengers and good for British business,” said Andrew Jones. “Low emission buses have already proved to be a real success across the country. They are cost efficient, good for the environment, and there are wider benefits. We have provided more than £2billion of funding to greener transport schemes since 2011, and by supporting this technology the government is ensuring the UK is driving innovation and investment up and down the country.”