Bio-bus serves Bristol

First West of England recently displayed a bio-bus in Bristol and hopes to bring it into service in the city in the coming weeks and months as a demonstration vehicle. It was initially used as part of the Bristol Green Capital launch weekend activities, running a series of free round trips from Bristol city centre.

First is a tier one sponsor of the Bristol Green Capital Year and has pledged, as part of its involvement, to investigate the use of different fuel technologies over the next 12 months. The 40-seater Scania, nicknamed the ‘poo bus’ in the press, is powered using bio-methane generated from sewage and food waste. It has previously been trialled on the A4 Bath to Bristol Airport service operated by Bath Bus. The bus should help improve air quality as it produces fewer emissions than traditional diesel engines. The use of the vehicle follows an agreement with GENeco, a subsidiary company of Wessex Water, Scania GB and Roadgas.

MD of First West of England, James Freeman, said, ‘We have been talking with GENeco for some weeks about the possibility of bringing the bio-methane bus to Bristol, to run it as part of our city-wide network during the Green Capital Year. It’s great to be able to get this partnership with GENeco off to a great start during the opening weekend by offering people the chance to ride on the bus for free.’