Greater Manchester’s Bee Network is taking another step towards cleaner, greener public transport by trialling a repowered electric bus from Wrightbus.
The first converted bus – its diesel engine replaced with a zero emission electric powertrain – has now entered service from Go North West’s Bolton depot.
Go North West, which already operates 69 electric buses from the site, said the trial will evaluate energy efficiency, range, operational costs, and real-world performance to determine whether repowering can offer a scalable solution for fleet electrification.
The conversion process took three weeks and was carried out by a specialist team from the Wrightbus facility in Bicester.
Its converted bus includes audio-visual next stop announcements, two wheelchair bays, anti-slip flooring, a passenger hearing loop system, and USB chargers at every seat.
The number of electric buses serving people across Greater Manchester continues to grow rapidly, from fewer than 1% before franchising to one in four by the summer as part of ambitions to have a fully electric fleet by 2030.
Nigel Featham, Managing Director of Go North West, said: “This trial is about exploring how the Bee Network might accelerate moves towards an all-electric fleet.
“Converting an existing vehicle extends its life and provides a lower-cost way to cut emissions quickly. If successful, this could become a vital tool in delivering Greater Manchester’s zero emission ambitions.”
Kirk Trewin, UK Bus Sales Director at Wrightbus, said: “Repowering technology has the potential to be a game-changer in the transition to zero emission transport.
“We’re excited to work with Go North West and TfGM to bring this innovation to life, which could unlock more cost-effective solutions for the industry.”
