- 42 buses in Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire upgraded to lowest emission engines available, with work being carried out on a further 32
- 23 new low emission double decker buses coming in Preston next year
- 10 new hydrogen buses to start running in 2023 in Liverpool, the first of their kind in the region
- 32% reduction in carbon emissions per passenger journey across the country in 2021-22
- Stagecoach greener public transport services help customers avoid c20,000 tonnes of CO2e
- 100% renewable electricity being used across the business
Stagecoach has taken some major steps to decarbonising its business and achieving its goal of becoming a net zero business by 2050.
The country’s biggest bus and coach operator has today (28 November) published a new report outlining progress in 2021-2022 against the strategy it launched last year, Driving Net Zero: Better Places to Live and Work. The report details a programme of improvements delivered in 2021-2022 against its Planet, People, Prosperity and Governance targets. It includes a package of capital investment in new cleaner buses, measures to improve energy efficiency as well as improvements and investment for Stagecoach employees and local communities.
Over the last year, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire has converted 42 Euro 5 buses to new Euro 6 engines, which are the lowest emission diesel engine available, and a further 32 vehicles are being converted in the Liverpool City Region in line with the new clean air zones. The company has also made a step change to its engineering vans, upgrading the majority of them to fully electric vehicles.
In spring 2023, Stagecoach will begin operating 10 new hydrogen buses in partnership with Liverpool City Region and Arriva on route 10A between St Helens and Liverpool, which will be the first of their kind for the region. It will also introduce 23 new low emission double decker buses on its services in Preston during 2023 as part of a multi-million pound investment being made by Stagecoach across the country.
Key highlights Stagecoach has delivered across the whole country during the year include:
Protecting the Planet
- Introduction of 75 new zero emission buses in regions across the UK, with 79 new e-buses in London during 2021-22. A further 159 new electric buses are planned to be introduced in 2023.
- e emissions per passenger journey.2An overall 32% reduction in scope 1 & 2 CO
- Helped customers avoid nearly 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions by providing them with more sustainable travel rather than taking the car.
- 100% renewable electricity now being used across the business, with new energy saving lighting in place in some locations.
- Achieved management ‘B’ rating in benchmark assessment from CDP, above the average for the road transport sector.
- Recycling mobile devices which has helped to fund the planting of over 3,000 trees.
- Opening of a sustainable new £7m depot in Cwmbran in South Wales, which features a water recycling system, electric charging bays, intelligent heating, solar panels and a grass roof for rainwater harvesting.
Investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of employees and customers
Earlier this year, Stagecoach launched a sector-leading report which demonstrated the importance of government funding to match operator investment in new zero emission buses: https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/publication-policy-documents/zeb-report.pdf
This was followed by further research published this month https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/publication-policy-documents/modal-shift-report.pdf showing how national and local government policies can help to deliver modal shift from the car to more sustainable travel, helping people to save thousands of pounds and deliver reduced carbon emissions. Both reports have been welcomed by the Department for Transport, Scottish Government, Campaign for Better Transport and customer watchdog, Transport Focus.
Stagecoach is continuing with its plans to target a zero emission UK bus fleet by 2035, and has introduced new electric buses across many parts of the country, including one of Europe’s biggest investment in e-buses in Manchester. The company will also be launching the first all-electric city bus networks in the UK in Inverness and Perth in 2023.
Matt Davies, Managing Director for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said: “We know there is still a lot of work to be done, but we are pleased to have had a really good year of progress against our sustainability strategy. We are particularly pleased to have delivered new low emission vehicles and look forward to welcoming our new hydrogen vehicles into service early next year.
“Despite the challenging macro-economic environment, and the specific pressures that are being faced in the public transport sector, as the country’s biggest bus and coach operator, Stagecoach is continuing to play a leading role in decarbonising the sector and we are working hard towards our target to become a net zero business by 2050.
“Our services are critical to rebuilding the country’s economy and levelling up communities. As well as the steps we are taking to decarbonise our own business, it is equally as important for national and local government and transport operators to work together to maximise the benefits of the bus to meet the country’s aspirations of a net zero future.”
For a copy of Stagecoach’s report, Our Sustainability Journey, visit https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/publication-policy-documents/sustainability-progress-report-2021-2022.pdf
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