Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has launched a multi-million-pound scheme to enable local transport authorities to roll out zero emission buses.

Up to £120 million is being made available through the Zero Emissions Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, which will allow local transport authorities to bid for funding to purchase zero emission buses, in an effort to reduce the carbon emissions from their local public transport and to improve air quality in towns and cities across England.

The funding will deliver up to 500 of the 4,000 zero emission buses the Government has pledged to introduce.

The funding comes from the wider £3 billion fund announced by the Government to improve bus services in its national bus strategy, which was published on 15th March.

The Government says the new strategy will see passengers benefit from lower, simpler flat fares, more frequent services, and new requirements that will see councils set yearly targets for improving the reliability of services.

Ministers have called on local transport authorities, energy companies, bus operators and manufacturers to co-operate in working up strong cases for funding.

Bidders will have until 21st May to submit expressions of interest for the Fast Track process – which will allow local transport authorities with proposals already drawn up to bid for funding. A second deadline date of 21st June will apply to local authorities who need more time to develop their proposals.