A fleet of bio-methane gas buses, funded by Asset Alliance Group, has significantly reduced carbon emissions in Bristol and is setting the trend for providing a sustainable way to travel.
The m1 route, operated by HCT Group, under its British Community Transport (BCT) banner, uses a fleet run entirely on bio-methane gas generated from food and farm waste and sewage, which is carbon-neutral and offers an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases and a 95% reduction in Nitrogen Oxides compared to Euro 6 diesel engines.
HCT Group has seen a 17% increase in passengers since introducing the buses, which connect south Bristol, the city centre and the Bristol campus of the University of the West of England, contributing to a significant reduction of pollution.
The 21 new double deck Scania ADL Enviro400 CBG buses, which have 70 seats, wheelchair space, Wi-Fi and USB charging points, were funded by Asset Alliance Group on a long-term hire purchase contract.
Dai Powell, Chief Executive of HCT Group, says: “Being able to provide an alternative fuel fleet has been instrumental in expanding our services in Bristol and helping make public transport in the area more sustainable, and among the best in the country.
“Asset Alliance Group has supported us for more than 20 years, and their advice is invaluable. They always provide us with carefully negotiated, flexible, and cost-effective funding for our fleet, and we knew they would do the same for our new alternative fuel vehicles.”
Michael Bycroft, Managing Director, Bus and Coach and Asset Funding for Asset Alliance Group, said: “Clean Air Zones have brought the use of alternative fuels into sharp focus, but people are also taking more of an interest in their personal environmental impact as shown by the increased numbers of passengers using these premium buses.
“Gas-powered vehicles will have an increasingly important role to play on the roads, and we are happy to provide independent advice and financial support to help get as many operational as possible. Bristol is setting a fantastic example to the rest of the country.”
In July, a £960,000 permanent bio-methane gas filling station was opened at the BCT depot in Bedminster by First West of England, supported by the Low Emissions Bus Fund from the Government’s Office of Low Emission Vehicles.
HCT Group is a social enterprise and reinvests profits from commercial operations into community transport services in the communities it serves. It has 1,800 employees and 17 depots across London, Yorkshire, the northwest, the southwest, Derbyshire and the Channel Islands.
