Christine McGlasson, Managing Director of bus firm Xplore Dundee said the firm was on schedule to have a zero emissions fleet by the end of this decade.
Parent company National Express yesterday vowed to not buy another deisel bus in the UK and become the first emission-free transport group in the country.
Christine said:
“As part of National Express Group, it’s our ambition that Dundee will have a zero emission fleet by 2030 and our pledge is that we won’t buy any more diesel buses. We’ve already accelerated our upgrade programme so that almost half of our buses are now Euro VI, the cleanest engine currently available.
“Xplore Dundee trialled Tayside’s first fully electric bus and we’re actively exploring alternative fuels like hydrogen and electric - we want to lead the way on this exciting and ambitious pledge to become the UK’s most sustainable bus and coach company.
“We don’t just want a Low Emission Zone for Dundee, we want a Low Emission City - that’s why we ensure our cleanest vehicles are travelling through the most polluted streets, like Seagate and Lochee Road. We’re steadily upgrading our fleet to ensure there are low emission buses throughout the whole of the network.”
National Express Group sets out zero emission vision
-Pledge to not buy another diesel bus in the UK
-Ambition to have fully zero emission bus fleet by 2030 and coach fleet by 2035, making National Express the first zero emission transport group in the UK
-Environmental targets to be included in all senior executive share schemes
National Express Group announced
-We will not buy another diesel bus for our UK operations;
-We will lead the transition to zero emission coaches, with a target for the first electric coaches to be in service next year;
-An ambition that our UK bus and UK coach fleets will be fully zero emission from 2030 and 2035 respectively;
-Environmental targets will make up 25% of senior executive Long Term Incentive Plans.
This new vision follows our sustained investment in Euro VI vehicles, way ahead of Clean Air Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone requirements. National Express Group has also been one of the first transport companies to adopt the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s methodology for setting its carbon reduction targets.
National Express Group recognises the importance of operators playing their role in delivering public policy ambitions. The recent government announcement of a £5 billion bus fund, the pro-public transport policies of the Mayor of the West Midlands and the ambitious vision set out in the draft Birmingham Transport Plan all show there is a desire for leadership and change. National Express Group is determined to be part of that change and to demonstrate that leadership.
National Express Group will shortly launch a procurement competition to choose the manufacturers and partners to help achieve these ambitions. This year we will:
Place a major order for electric buses to add to our first zero emission vehicles which will shortly enter service in the West Midlands;
Hold an in-service trial of an electric coach on our Stansted Airport service;
Select partners to develop a zero emission vehicle suitable for all long distance coach routes.
With significant operations overseas, National Express Group will also look to apply this leadership to these businesses shortly and set equally ambitious objectives.
Xplore Dundee
As Dundee's principal public transport provider, we fulfill around 35,000 passenger journeys every day. Our service is part of the fabric of the city - carrying people where they need to be, and employing more than 300 people.
