24/10/2008

• Cleaner fuel saves 1000 tonnes of CO₂ as carbon emissions cut by 80%
• More than 600,000 passengers travel on UK's first green BioBuses
• Householders recycle more than 30 tonnes of used cooking oil
• School pupils get involved with groundbreaking green initiative

Stagecoach marked the first anniversary of its pioneering Bio-bus initiative today (24 October 2008) with the release of new figures showing the project has generated a significant cut in carbon emissions and boosted recycling.

The UK's first Bio-buses were launched in October 2007 as part of a ground-breaking environmental project that allows customers to exchange used cooking oil for discounted bus travel.

Eight vehicles in Kilmarnock run on 100% biodiesel manufactured from used cooking oil and other food industry by-products, which are from sustainable sources that do not involve the destruction of natural habitats or compete with the human food chain.

In the past 12 months, the cleaner fuel project has cut CO₂ emissions from the buses by 80%, saving 1,000 tonnes of carbon.

Stagecoach issued 5,000 free containers to householders on the Service 1 route, which runs from Stewarton to Darvel via Kilmarnock, to allow them to recycle their used cooking oil in return for discounted bus travel.

In the past year, more than 30 tonnes of used cooking oil has been taken to East Ayrshire Council's recycling plant at Western Road, a significant increase on the volume normally recycled at the facility.

Local schools and other groups have taken a keen interest in the Bio-bus project. Senior managers from Stagecoach have worked closely with local primary and secondary schools on the bus route to explain the project to pupils as part of their environmental studies.

Sam Greer, Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland, and Operations Director Sarah Longair today visited Kilmaurs Primary with one of the Biobuses to mark the milestone. Pupils' designs for a poster to promote the BioBus are to feature in Stagecoach's marketing about the project.

"The Bio-Bus project has captured the imagination of local people, and the community has really got behind the scheme," said Mr Greer.

"We have delivered a truly sustainable partnership solution to the challenge of climate change. The local community, a forward-thinking transport operator, the fuel industry and local government are all working together to protect the environment.

"More than 600,000 passengers have used the Bio-bus service, helping to cut their own carbon footprint, and we are a long way toward reaching our goal of running a 100% carbon neutral service.

Michelle Fleming, Acting Head Teacher, Kilmaurs Primary School, said: "Our children were very enthusiastic about this project and cannot believe that their designs will now be used on the real Bio-Bus.

"It is vital to teach our children about environmental issues and how they can do their part to protect the planet. Our involvement with Stagecoach West Scotland's BioBus scheme has helped our children to develop their knowledge and understanding of sustainability and the importance of recycling in a real life context that they see every day on their way to school."

The single-deck BioBuses are fitted with bespoke dual fuel tanks as part of the project undertaken with Motherwell biodiesel business Argent Energy Ltd. Argent Energy, which operates the UK's first large-scale biodiesel plant, is providing bulk fuel storage at Stagecoach's Kilmarnock depot for the duration of trial and is supplying all the biodiesel. The buses involved in the trial have MAN engines and Alexander Dennis bodies. The dual fuel tanks have the capacity for 184 litres of biodiesel and 40 litres of mineral diesel.

From first start up in the morning, the buses will run on mineral diesel until the normal engine operating temperature is achieved a process that takes no more than 10 minutes. The system then automatically switches over to biodiesel, which powers the vehicles all day.

The UK Government is encouraging the use of renewable fuels as part of its drive to cut carbon emissions. Stagecoach currently uses a blend of 5% biodiesel across its 7,000-vehicle UK bus fleet. The Group also uses a hi-tech fuel additive manufactured using nanotechnology to keep emissions from its fleet to a minimum.

Stagecoach is holding a special recycling day in partnership with East Ayrshire Council at Kilmarnock bus station on 24 November to mark the BioBus anniversary. Local people will be able to bring old batteries, mobile phones, ink cartridges and other items to the bus station for recycling. Containers to recycle cooking oil will also be available on the buses in the lead up to the recycling day.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications,
Tel: 01738 442111 (office) or 07764 774680 (mobile)
steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

Stagecoach

• Stagecoach is one of UK's biggest bus and coach operators, connecting communities in more than 100 towns and cities.
• The company runs around 7,000 vehicles from Devon in south-west England to Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland, carrying around 2 million passengers every day.
• Stagecoach services cover many of the UK's major cities, including Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Hull, Oxford and Cambridge, as well as key shire towns and rural areas.

Argent Energy (UK) Ltd

• Argent Energy is a pioneer in the biodiesel business and operates the UK's first large-scale biodiesel plant of its type.
• The plant, located near Motherwell in Scotland, started production of biodiesel in March 2005 and plans are in hand to expand operations in the UK and overseas. The company uses only tallow and used cooking oil as feedstocks.
• The Motherwell facility has a production capacity of 45,000 tonnes (more than 50 million litres) of biodiesel per annum and is currently producing a weekly average of approximately 875 tonnes (approximately 1 million litres).
• Planning permission has been granted for a second plant at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, which is planned to have an annual production of 170 million litres - more than three times the capacity of the existing plant. The new plant is expected to be built in two stages. Phase 1 will provide 85 million litres of production capacity and the infrastructure to double that as the market develops.
• The company is also investigating the feasibility of establishing a plant in New Zealand.

Biodiesel

• Biodiesel is one of the main candidates to replace fossil fuels as the world's primary transport energy source.
• It is a renewable, cleaner-burning fuel that can be refined from an array of oil and fat-based materials, including tallow, used cooking oil and vegetable oil through a process known as transesterification.
• Biodiesel is a non-toxic, biodegradable fuel that can be used as a pure transportation fuel or can be blended with mineral diesel for use in normal mineral diesel engines. In comparison to mineral diesel, biodiesel can deliver benefits to both the environment and to vehicle engines where it acts as a lubricant.