Lothian puts £2.5m into greener fleet

LOTHIAN Buses is investing £2.5 million as part of its aim to become one of the UK’s “greenest” bus fleets. The investment is supported by a grant of £750,000 from the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund.

The ten Volvo hybrid single-decker buses will help reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by at least 30 per cent.

The buses, to be built in Poland, will also be the first in Lothian’s 650-strong fleet to feature an energy saving engine-off-at-idle device, reducing air and noise pollution.

Ian Craig, Lothian’s managing director, said: “We know that our passengers want environmentally friendly buses, and we wish to help Scotland meet its carbon reduction targets.”

Lothian introduced 15 diesel-electric hybrid double-decker buses to its fleet last year at a cost of £5m.