Greater Manchester is moving closer to becoming the first region in the UK to operate a carbon-neutral public transport system. The city’s public transport body, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), has announced plans to invest in homegrown renewable energy sources to power the Metrolink trams entirely through 100% clean energy.
The ambitious proposal includes a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), which will secure a stable energy supply for the city’s trams. This agreement, valued at approximately £57 million over 15 years, aims to meet the current annual energy demands of the Metrolink and could eventually extend to an electrified bus network. This expansion would see a significant increase in energy consumption as the bus network grows.
TfGM’s move is part of a wider effort to make Greater Manchester’s transport more sustainable. The city is already seeing the benefits of a bus franchising scheme launched earlier this month, which introduced a fleet of new, greener, and more accessible vehicles. As part of the Clean Air Plan, £51.1 million will be allocated to purchase 40 zero-emission buses, 77 Euro VI standard buses, and necessary charging infrastructure.
By March 2025, more than half (52%) of the Bee Network’s buses will be new, with 75% of the fleet less than four years old. The current average age of the fleet is 9.5 years. Additionally, the number of electric buses will rise sharply, from under 1% before franchising to 25% by the summer.
Mayor Andy Burnham emphasized the transformative potential of the Bee Network, saying, “The Bee Network is the key to unlocking a new green revolution across Greater Manchester. With cleaner, more reliable public transport, we can cut carbon emissions, improve services for passengers, and clean up the air throughout our city-region.”
The plans are in line with the city’s goal of a fully electric bus network by 2030. The formal tender for the power purchase agreement was released earlier this month, marking a significant step toward achieving these sustainability targets.
