The four West of England authorities have worked with First Bristol Limited (FBL) to prepare a bid to the Low Emission Bus Scheme that seeks to achieve a step change in the local bus fleet operating services within the West of England, focussing on routes passing through Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).
The funding secured will enable FBL to introduce 110 new gas-powered buses to their fleet, as well as the fuelling infrastructure to accommodate another 40 gas-powered buses. The buses will operate using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology, achieving significant reductions in emissions compared to the 80 diesel (Euro 3) buses being replaced through this investment. The remaining 30 buses will be additional to the existing FBL fleet and will be used to operate new services on the MetroBus network.
The project will result in over 40% of FBL’s bus fleet being low emission, with attendant benefits to local communities in Bristol, Kingswood, Staple Hill, and Keynsham, all of which contain designated AQMAs. The buses will operate on routes where the maximum air quality benefits will be gained.
The bid will also develop fuel supply infrastructure to ensure that the buses can be efficiently re-fuelled with minimal dead mileage. The fuelling equipment will be located at FBL’s Lawrence Hill depot, the base for the buses operating these services. The equipment will have sufficient capacity to fuel a further 25 CNG-powered buses that FBL propose to procure to operate additional MetroBus services once the scheme fully commences.
The fuelling station would be open to other bus operators, road hauliers and public sector fleets to re-fuel their CNG-powered vehicles at Lawrence Hill between 8 am and 5 pm on weekdays, thereby removing a potential barrier to those considering CNG as a fuel for LEVs in the West of England by providing a local fuelling station.
In total, £4.4 million is sought, which will unlock investment of £26 million by FBL.
Free Birthday Bus travel returns across the West of England today, 1 December – with new freebies and discounts at shops, restaurants, and attractions across the region for Birthday Bus pass-holders.
Residents and businesses now have until after Christmas to respond to plans to create more than 6.2km of improved walking, wheeling and cycling on four proposed routes across Bath.
Residents can now have their say on proposed changes to speed limits in Kenn. North Somerset Council proposes to lower the speed limits in Kenn Street and Duck Lane in order to provide a safer and more enjoyable environment for local communities.
Attempts to create a safer, healthier, and greener neighbourhood in East Bristol are set to move forward as measures are installed as part of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial scheme.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is inviting residents, businesses and visitors to share their views on the proposed Bath Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Links (BWWCL) scheme.
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