The battle to clean up Bristol’s air is continuing with First bus announcing they will be introducing 77 new biomethane buses onto the city’s streets.
The new vehicles, which will be spread out on routes across Bristol, will significantly reduce the amount of pollution produced by those routes, First Bus said.
The new biomethane buses will pump out 80 per cent less greenhouse gases, and 95 per cent less nitrogen oxides.
The announcement of the new buses comes on Thursday - which has been named ‘Clean Air Day’ - and to mark the new buses, First bosses are giving away more than 350 tickets for free to encourage more people to take the bus.
The firm said these reductions will form a ‘major part of the company’s efforts to meet the requirements of the Bristol Clean Air Zone’.
Just this week, Bristol City Council’s cabinet announced two proposals to cut pollution in the city - one of which would see a charge on the most polluting commercial diesel vehicles, including buses, lorries, taxis and vans, in the city centre.
James Freeman, First Bus’ managing director for the West of England, said: “At First West of England, we want to make sure we’re playing our part to clean up the city’s air.
“These 77 new buses will do that by not only being 95 per cent less polluting themselves, but I hope the improved quality of service will also encourage more people to leave their cars at home and jump on the bus.
“To help people make that switch, we’re giving away more than 350 free tickets for our existing customers to share with their friends to mark Clean Air Day so they can see that bus travel is a key part of making every day, a clean air day in Bristol,” he added.
“This new investment will take older, more polluting buses off the streets and will work alongside the 21 biomethane buses that already operate on the metrobus m1 route.
“The new buses will offer free wifi and USB charging points to all passengers as well as comfortable seating and be accessible for all passengers with spacious doors, low floors and wide corridors,” he added.
The free bus tickets will be day riders.
A total of 357 will be emailed to people who are already signed up to First West of England’s mailing system, and will be given the free ticket to pass on to a friend, to encourage more people to use the bus.
