Nottingham City Transport procures new bio-gas buses

Credit: Nottingham City Transport

Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has announced that it is adding 23 new bio-gas buses to its public transport fleet. The transport company already operates the world’s largest fleet of bio-gas double decks in the world at 120 buses.

The use of bio-gas has enabled NCT to halve its diesel consumption from eight million litres to four million litres per year, as bio-gas is produced naturally through anaerobic digestion, using food waste, farm waste and sewage. The methane emitted from the digestion process is captured, treated and turned into fuel.

Bio-gas buses already run on three quarters of NCT’s double decker bus services and the current fleet has clocked up over 15 million miles in service since first appearing on Nottingham’s streets five years ago, in July 2017.

In addition to their smart, stylish design and comfortable ride, the bio-gas fleet has contributed to improving Nottingham’s air quality. The existing buses have prevented over 26,000 tonnes of CO₂ from being emitted, as well as reducing NOx emissions by 180,000kg.

NCT’s Head of Engineering, Liam O’Brien said, “NCT is committed to minimising its impact on the environment and we already operate one of the greenest bus fleets in the country. Our bio-gas fleet has contributed to much improved air quality in and around Nottingham and this investment in 23 further bio-gas buses will improve it further”.

The new bio-gas double decker buses will operate on Brown 15, 16, 17; Orange 35, 36 and Lime 56, 57, 58, 59 and all 23 are expected to be in service by the end of August 2022.