Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited Wrightbus in Ballymena on 14 March. He confirmed an order for 55 electric buses from the Northern Ireland manufacturer for the Bee Network public transport system.

The purchase forms part of a £66 million investment in Wrightbus electric vehicles. It raises the total number of buses acquired by Greater Manchester from the company to 293.

Burnham toured the Ballymena headquarters and factory. He viewed 76 electric double-deck buses from a prior order in production. Those buses will enter service across Greater Manchester from April.

Wrightbus employs more than 2,100 people. The company supports 7,500 additional jobs in the manufacturing supply chain.

North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland spoke with Burnham during his visit to Northern Ireland. She attended the Alliance Party conference on 14 March.

The Bee Network targets a fully electric bus fleet by 2030. Around half of its franchised buses will run on electricity by the end of this year.