Low carbon emission buses set for Essex roads

A fleet of low carbon emission buses are set to be rolled out onto roads in Essex.

First Essex Buses is to receive a £1.8m grant to buy 23 hybrid-electric buses. Thurrock-based Ensign Bus Company will get funding to purchase six versions.

The money has been awarded as part of the Department for Transport’s £31m Green Bus Fund.

The energy-efficient vehicles generate less carbon emissions than fuel-powered vehicles, create less noise and save money on fuel.

The new buses will replace 23 fuel-powered buses and will cover routes across the county from next year.

A spokesman for First Essex said the funding covered 70 per cent of the cost of hybrid buses, which are due to be on the streets in early 2013.

First Essex will cover the additional 30 per cent of the bus costs itself.

Grays-based Ensign buses are buying seven hybrid buses, thanks to a £475,000 grant.

The company has already bought one bus, which drivers are learning to drive, and engineers learning to service, before it takes to the streets next month.

A further six buses are expected to be launched across Thurrock in the autumn.

Southend Borough Council will also receive £1.5m to spend on improvements to its bus network.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said the buses were aimed at reducing fuel costs, cutting CO2 emissions and encouraging more people to travel by bus.

The government said each low carbon bus used in London saved about 26 tonnes of CO2 per vehicle each year, compared to diesel equivalents.

The vehicles, both single-deck and double-decker, are expected to come into operation during 2012-13.

Southend council said it would use the money it had received from the Better Bus Area fund to set up a borough-wide Smartcard system, improve bus stops and reduce congestion.

Source: Echo & BBC