Scottish Government pledges to £3m to green buses

Date: 29/8/2012

Dozens more green buses could be seen on the streets of Scotland as the nation's government has pledged an extra £3 million for the purchase of the vehicles.

It is a continuation of the Green Bus Fund, which was launched two years ago and has so far seen an extra 74 environmentally friendly buses be added to operators’ fleets north of the border.

The £3 million funding put aside for this financial year should enable the purchasing of 40 more buses in a bid to reduce the impact of public transport on the environment.

Keith Brown, the Transport Minister, said: "The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to public transport and to our ambitious climate change target of reducing carbon emissions by 42 per cent by 2020."

Hybrid buses such as the ones that have been introduced under the scheme so far have both a conventional diesel engine and an electric motor.

They use 30 per cent less diesel than conventional buses and account for 30 per cent fewer emissions.

Mr Brown said: "Our two previous Scottish green bus funds enabled nine private bus operators to introduce 74 new low carbon buses to Scotland's roads and this is another clear indication of our support and commitment to the bus industry in Scotland.

"Early indications from the use of vehicles bought in the first phase are showing substantial fuel savings and reduced emissions."

He used a visit to a manufacturer of hybrid buses in Falkirk, Alexander Dennis, to announce the latest round of funding.

Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of Alexander Dennis, said: "Thanks to initiatives like the Scottish Green Bus Fund, our business is now established as one of Europe's leading suppliers of low carbon hybrid-electric buses, supporting 900 jobs in Falkirk and a further 2,000 in our vast supply chain network."

Hybrid buses are a popular option for authorities wishing to make their public transport greener and there are currently 301 diesel-electric hybrid buses running on various routes in London.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News