More funding for green buses

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced additional funding to bring 55 low carbon buses into service.

Government schemes to provide more carbon-cutting buses and reduce pollution from existing buses are being extended.

Speaking at industry event Coach and Bus Live Transport Minister Norman Baker announced additional money will be made available to bring 55 more low carbon buses into service and to retro-fit dozens more to clean up their exhaust fumes.

Baker said: “The new funding will see £2.4 million ploughed into further funding for low carbon buses allowing bus companies and local authorities in Manchester, Oxfordshire, York and Sunderland to buy electric, hybrid and biomethane gas-powered buses.

“The Clean Bus Technology Fund will allocate additional grants to local authorities totalling over £1 million pounds to modify local buses to reduce emissions of harmful pollutants and improve air quality on congested roads in parts of Kent, South Yorkshire, the West Midlands, Buckinghamshire and York.

The following towns, cities, districts and counties will benefit from the new funding:

• Manchester – 23 new green buses



• Sunderland – 23 new green buses



• York – seven new green buses and a pilot scheme to convert a diesel bus to electric propulsion



• Oxfordshire – 2 new buses



• Sheffield – conversion of 5 buses to run on natural gas



• West Midlands – 29 buses with exhaust gas treatment



• Chiltern District – 5 buses with exhaust gas treatment



• Swale Borough – 5 buses with exhaust gas treatment