Green Fleet

01 December 2009

Eight buses in Kilmarnock now run on 100% biodiesel manufactured from used cooking oil

WINNER

Stagecoach West Scotland, for Bio-buses

‘Bio-buses’ is a ground-breaking environmental initiative by Stagecoach West Scotland that allows customers to exchange used cooking oil for discounted bus travel.

Eight vehicles in Kilmarnock now run on 100% biodiesel manufactured from used cooking oil and other food industry by-products. It is estimated that this will result in an 82% cut in CO2 emissions.

Crucially, the bio-diesel is produced from tallow and used cooking oil, both of which are sustainable sources that do not involve the destruction of natural habits or compete with the human food chain.

All households on the Service 1 route, which runs from Stewarton to Darvel via Kilmarnock and carries around 15,500 passengers a week, received a free container to recycle their used cooking oil.

It can then be taken to East Ayrshire Council’s recycling plant at Western Road, entitling customers to a voucher for money off their bus travel.

The Bio-buses, run under the slogan “Do your part, be Bio smart!”, have been fitted with bespoke dual fuel tanks as part of the project undertaken with Motherwell biodiesel business Argent Energy Ltd.

Argent Energy, which operates the UK’s first large-scale biodiesel plant, provides bulk fuel storage at Stagecoach’s Kilmarnock depot and supplies all the biodiesel.

The single-deck buses involved in the trial have MAN engines and Alexander Dennis bodies. The dual fuel tanks have the capacity for 184 litres of biodiesel and 40 litres of mineral diesel. From first start up in the morning, the buses run on mineral diesel until the normal engine operating temperature is achieved a process that takes no more than 10 minutes. The system then automatically switches over to biodiesel, which powers the vehicles all day.

Judges’ remarks: “Well done for involving communities in powering vehicles using waste oil - really innovative” - David Powell

RUNNER-UP

Southern, Southeastern & Partners, for regenerative braking

On May 2, 2008, Southern became the first train operator in the country to introduce regenerative braking on the third rail DC network. Since then, 1,400 tonnes of carbon have been saved per year and a significant saving in energy bills have come about.

The project had to overcome the deeply entrenched technical view that DC regenerative braking was not viable. A five-way partnership was formed with:

Southern directing the project and co-funding it;
Bombardier developing the on-train software and switching;
Network Rail performing the all important activity of disproving the theoretical risks;
Booz & Co project managing;
and Southeastern co-funding the project and supplying a train for testing.

Southern’s sister company, Southeastern introduced its first regenerative train a few days after. Southern and Southeastern are part of the Go Ahead Group.

Judges’ remarks: “A very important project that has produced large benefits. It was pushed through against real difficulties and it richly deserves recognition” - George Muir

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Transport for London, for promoting clean air technology buses

Embryonic hybrid electric propulsion systems have moved into the mainstream under the stewardship of TfL and from 2012 it is anticipated that all new bus orders for London will be hybrid-based. It doesn’t stop there. TfL will next year introduce a new fleet of second generation fuel cell buses for use on the central London RV1 bus route.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Go Ahead London, for its Go-Green campaign

The Go-Green campaign used technology and training to cut CO2 emissions. Through the integration of telematics, awareness campaigns and incentivisation programmes Go Ahead London’s staff have become more efficient and safer. The campaign began in August 2008 and has delivered a 10% improvement in fuel consumption and a 20% reduction in site energy usage.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Oxford Bus Company, for Britain’s Greenest bus fleet

This year Go Ahead Group-owned Oxford Bus Company became the first operator in the country to have Euro V coaches, single and double deck buses in its fleet. It’s further proof of the company’s green credentials. For three years running it has been named as the country’s ‘greenest’ bus company in a survey compiled by the transport consultants TAS.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Optare Group, for the Solo EV

This spring saw Optare unveil the Solo EV, which it bills as ‘Britain’s first practical electric bus’. Trials are still continuing with the prototype vehicle, but noises from the Leeds-based bus builder suggest a range of around 100 miles is now being achieved. The Solo EV will cost 70% more to buy than a diesel-powered Solo, but running costs are considerably lower.