Leading transport operator FirstGroup has placed orders for 464 new buses in deals worth a total of £76m, 95% of which will be manufactured in the UK, according to Aberdeen-based FirstGroup.
Falkirk-based Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus will build most of the vehicles, 222 and 179 respectively, which will be mainly single-decker and midi buses. Delivery is expected in the 2013-14 financial year, and these new buses amount to about £240m in First's investment in new buses over the last three years.
"We are committed to growing our business and encouraging more people to use our services and to use them more often," said First UK Bus managing director Giles Fearnley.