It is ‘crucial’ that bus maker ADL’s newly announced plans to build 10,000 green buses for the UK’s towns and cities is included in the government’s £5 billion fund for bus services and cycling routes, Unite said today (19 May 2020).

Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union, said it ‘fully supports’ ADL’s plan to build 10,000 low and ultra-low emission buses, which will run on electricity when travelling on high streets and near schools and hospitals, over the next four years.

Government support for the production of the buses, some of which ADL says could be on the road by the end of the year, would not only lower air pollution and reduce the UK’s carbon footprint but help ‘kickstart the economy in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis’, Unite said.

ADL employs about 2,500 staff at sites in Guildford, Scarborough and Falkirk and supports a further 12,500 jobs in the supply chain.

Unite national officer for automotive Steve Bush said: “Unite fully supports ADL’s ground-breaking plan to produce 10,000 clean buses over the next four years and is working with the company to help ensure it is realised. 

“ADL’s vision would help to cut the often devastating health impacts of air pollution on people living and working in the UK’s built up areas as well as reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. 

“In addition to bringing a net benefit to public health and our environment, ADL’s plan is exactly what’s needed to help kickstart the economy in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis and would support thousands of jobs in communities across the UK. 

“It is crucial that the government gets behind ADL and includes the plan within the £5 billion funding pot for buses and cycles routes announced in February.”