West Midlands approves £31.5 million for 24 electric buses and charging kit on A34 and A45 Sprint routes
By Eve
The West Midlands Combined Authority Investment Board has approved the full business case to spend £26 million on 24 tram-like electric buses and charging infrastructure for the Sprint project, plus £5.5 million for ticketing equipment. The scheme aims to create continuous bus priority routes linking Walsall, Birmingham and Solihull along the A34 and A45, with infrastructure work including new stops and extended bus lanes already under way in earlier phases. First announced in 2018 with a 2022 Commonwealth Games target, the project has faced delays from the pandemic and cost increases.
Why it matters
The approval unlocks a substantial electric bus and charging procurement for a high-profile rapid transit scheme, signalling renewed momentum after years of delay. Contractors and charge-point operators can now expect tenders for depot and route infrastructure to support the 24-vehicle fleet.
Source
- Original title
- “New 'tram-like' electric buses bought for A34 and A45 'priority routes' to cut journey times”
- Published
- 25 February 2026
- Updated
- 18 July 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Electric Vehicles
- Place
- United Kingdom
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