Boris Johnson fully behind Wrightbus bus roll-out in London

His comment came in correspondence penned earlier this month to DUP MP Ian Paisley who said he was pleased by Mr Johnson’s endorsement of manufacturers, Wrightbus.

Mr Johnson said the deal marked “good news for manufacturing jobs in NI and for travellers in London”.

There are currently eight prototype buses being used across the streets of London, built by Wrightbus, and if the trials go well, staff at the local company hope a substantial order will be placed.

Discussions are ongoing between Wrightbus and Transport for London, the organisation which has responsibility for public transport in London.

Wrightbus was originally awarded the contract in January 2010 to design a new bus for London.

It was the first time in 50 years that a new bus has been designed for London commuters.

A team of engineers at the factory’s plant at Galgorm outside Ballymena came up with a design for the double decker which has three entrances and a double staircase.

The design is similar to the classic Routemaster bus which was withdrawn in 2005.

Mr Johnson, who has long campaigned for a new bus for London, visited Wrightbus last November and described the design as a piece of “world class technology”.