A new fleet of fully electric buses could be on their way to Milton Keynes, after MK Council’s proposals made the final shortlist in the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Access scheme.

The scheme could see more than £40 million invested in Milton Keynes’ public transport network, with 60 new electric buses and an upgraded overnight charging bus depot.

The Department for Transport announced its Zero Emission Bus Regional Access scheme earlier this year, and invited local authorities to submit their localised electric bus proposals for a share of £120 million government investment.

If successful, a new fully electric fleet of buses could be rolled out in Milton Keynes from 2022.  

Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Sustainability said: “We’ve demonstrated that Milton Keynes is fully committed to becoming even cleaner and greener, and that we have the partnerships in place to move quickly to a zero-carbon future with electric buses.

“Along with growth in electric vehicles, our electric demand responsive bus service and all the work we’re doing with sustainable energy, we’re well on the way to a carbon neutral future.”