Green bus fleet a step forward for clean air

Thursday, 22 February 2007 01:37

Total Environment Centre Director Mr Jeff Angel said “CNG and Euro5 diesel buses produce much lower emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants such as carbon monoxide and fine particles. With the transport sector a major contributor of greenhouse gasses and air pollution, improving the performance of the State Transit fleet is a vital part of tackling climate change improving air quality”.

TEC has also welcomed moves to improve the environmental performance of buses already in the State Transit fleet by retrofitting 1300 older buses with emission reduction technology.

“With existing buses likely to remain within the State Transit fleet for many years, or be sold to private bus companies, it is essential that everything possible be done to ensure the highest possible level of performance”, Mr Angel said.

TEC has also urged the Government to increase the availability of CNG refuelling facilities at State Transit depots to ensure that CNG buses can be used across the entire city.

“Lack of CNG refuelling facilities at some depots requires the continued purchase of diesel buses. As good as the performance of Euro5 diesels is against current models CNG buses offer even lower emissions. Lower fuel and health costs associated with CNG buses also make them the obvious choice wherever refuelling facilities permit their use”, Mr Angel said.