YORK city is one of six locations across the country to receive a share of £11m government funding for new electric and gas buses.

It has been announced today that City of York Council has received £3.3m for 24 electric buses to be used on park and ride services.

The funding has been awarded as part of the Government’s Low Emission Bus Scheme which aims to cut pollution by providing cleaner and greener public transport across the country.

Transport Minister Paul Maynard said: “City of York Council’s plans will make a real difference in cleaning up emissions from buses in the local area.

“New greener buses will be more comfortable for passengers, they are cost efficient and are good for the environment.

“I am pleased that our funding will deliver 24 new electric buses for York.”

The Government’s support for low emission buses is one part of a £600m package of measures from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles by 2020.

A further £270m was also announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement to support the roll out of low emission cars, taxis and buses and supporting infrastructure.

This follows an initial £30m awarded to bus companies and local councils in July 2016 under the Low Emission Bus Scheme to help put over 300 more low emission buses on the country’s roads.

The other areas successful in this latest round of bidding were Bristol, Brighton, Surrey, Denbighshire and Wiltshire.

Overall the £11m will help the local councils buy a total of 153 cleaner buses.

This month York launched a landmark trial by becoming the first UK city outside of London to try new, fully electric double decker buses from North Yorkshire firm Optare.

The new vehicles are running from Monks Cross Park & Ride over the next month and some city routes.

The buses give out zero emissions and are fully electric.

They are able to carry 99 passengers and have a mileage range of almost 150 miles from one overnight charge.