FirstGroup invests in new ‘low carbon’ buses

UK and US transport operator FirstGroup has placed an order worth US$102 million (£70 million) for 305 new vehicles, 87 per cent of which will be Department for Transport approved ‘low carbon certified’. First Bus estimates this will save 4 million kg of CO2 per year. The 2016/17 investment will bring the company’s fleet of low carbon certified vehicles to around 1,000, believed to be one of the largest in the UK, saving in total an estimated 14.5 million kg of CO2 annually.
May 4, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

UK and US transport operator FirstGroup has placed an order worth US$102 million (£70 million) for 305 new vehicles, 87 per cent of which will be Department for Transport approved ‘low carbon certified’. First Bus estimates this will save 4 million kg of CO2 per year. The 2016/17 investment will bring the company’s fleet of low carbon certified vehicles to around 1,000, believed to be one of the largest in the UK, saving in total an estimated 14.5 million kg of CO2 annually.

All 305 new buses will be fitted with the latest Euro VI engines, which are claimed to produce 95 per cent fewer oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions compared to buses with Euro V engines and as a result will help improve air quality in the towns and cities in which First Bus operates.  

With 98 per cent of the order to be manufactured in the UK, the fleet investment by First Bus provides a big boost to British manufacturing helping to support hundreds of UK jobs.  Scottish firm ADL will manufacture 204 vehicles, while Northern Ireland’s Wrightbus has secured an order for 91 buses, and Volvo has won a contract to build 10 coach chassis in Sweden, with the bodies manufactured by ADL.

Related Content

  • Making transportation systems safer and more sustainable with connectivity
    August 6, 2021
    Connectivity will make transportation systems safer and more sustainable as Anne-Lise Thieblemont of Qualcomm outlines
    Read More
  • Go-Ahead drives Sydney transit deal
    December 29, 2022
    Joint venture with UGL - U-Go Mobility - will run services for TfNSW in city south-west
    Read More
  • Volvo warns EU on its approach to electric vehicles and its transport white paper
    March 22, 2012
    Volvo Car Corporation warns that EU targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions are being jeopardised by the absence of harmonised incentives to consumers. Another key issue is the urge for continuous support to automotive research and development, including electromobility. Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation, told an industry seminar in Brussels yesterday that jobs, investment and competitiveness in the European car industry could be threatened by the European Commission's approach
    Read More
  • Ho Chi Minh City to upgrade bus transport system
    October 12, 2012
    Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City), Vietnam is to spend around US$10 million annually in a four-year project to upgrade its bus transport system, according to the Department of Transport. Around 1,680 new buses will be purchased, including 350 units that are powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). Department of Transport deputy director, Duong Hong Thanh, said “CNG buses, which are cheaper and cleaner, would help improve the environment and save about 35-40 per cent of costs compared to diesel buses.” The first
    Read More

Highlighted Content