Stagecoach has taken some major steps to decarbonising its business and achieving its goal of becoming a net zero business by 2050, with a number of key sustainability improvements for passengers in North-east Scotland.
The country’s biggest bus and coach operator has today (28 November 2022) 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, that set out the steps it would take on the journey to become a net zero business.
At Stagecoach Bluebird, which covers Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, 22 fully electric double decker vehicles are now in service, having saved the equivalent of 527 tonnes of CO2 through the 2.7 million miles they have now operated in their first six months of service. There are a further 13 vehicles expected in early 2023 to further complement the electric vehicle (EV) fleet in Aberdeen.
The operator has also converted 20 Euro 5 buses to Euro 6 ahead of the introduction of the Low Emission zone in the city. Its depots have also had its lighting upgraded to the lowest energy LED style lighting and further investment will be made this year in electric engineering vans for maintenance of the fleet and more charging points across the business.
Stagecoach Bluebird has also commenced a trial with a local transport business for them to utilise its EV charging hub at East Tullos Industrial estate and, if successful, will be making this available for other local business to benefit from.
The report from Stagecoach 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.
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 across the UK in 2023.
- Stagecoach will also start running 10 new hydrogen buses in Liverpool in spring 2023, the first of its kind for the region, operated through a partnership between Stagecoach, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Arriva.
- Delivered an overall 32% reduction in scope 1 & 2 CO2e emissions per passenger journey.
- Helped customers avoid nearly 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions by providing them with more sustainable travel, rather than taking the car.
- Introduced 100% renewable electricity 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
- The first bus operator to introduce low bridge alert technology across its fleet of 4,000 double decker buses.
- New employee networks in place as part of diversity and inclusion plans, giving employees the chance to help shape the agenda and bring about lasting change.
- Investment in company’s first ever Head of Sustainability and Inclusion & Culture Partner.
Caring for local communities
- Stagecoach ‘Giving for Good’ initiative launched to support charities and community causes, with new partnerships with four national charities and supporting hundreds of local charities.
- New UK customer contact centre opened creating 60 new jobs
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.
Peter Knight, Managing Director for Stagecoach Bluebird, 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, in particular with the introduction of our new electric vehicles and upgraded lighting system.
“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.co...