GOVERNMENT funding will see nearly 320 new buses delivered to places around the UK, including eight in Reading, as a boost to green travel.
Following an ear-marked investment of just under £38m, 319 zero-emissions are set to be delivered by spring 2027 as part of the Bus Services Bill, which is currently passing through parliament.
They will be spread across 12 local authorities in the UK, with Reading set to receive eight new buses to add to its fleets.
This represents an investment of just under £1.35m.
The government has explained that 60% of buses funded by previous ZEBRA investments are being procured from domestic firms.
It says that this will support highly-skilled jobs and grow regional economies to improve living standards, as per the its Plan for Change.
Regional leaders and leading manufacturers are also being given a voice on zero emission plans, through the UK bus manufacturing expert panel, which seeks to put local people at the heart of bus building.
The Bus Services Bill is designed to give more power to local authorities in operating their own bus services.
During the much of the discussion of the bill, Reading was cited as an example of where more control over regional bus services had proved to be successful.
It is expected to progress into the House of Commons shortly.
