Green buses launched in Oxford

More than 25 green buses have been launched onto the streets of Oxford today (July 15th) by the transport company Stagecoach.

The fleet of 26 double-decker buses cost £7.5 million to produce and emit around 30 per cent less CO2 than traditional bus models.

It is the first time that the environmentally-friendly vehicles have be deployed on a large scale outside of London and initially the vehicles will service the busy city centre routes.

Plans for the green buses were first announced by Stagecoach, the Oxford Bus Company and Oxfordshire Country Council in January.

Philip Kirk, Oxford Bus Company managing director, told the BBC: “We have kept a very close eye on the results from similar buses run by our sister company in London, and we genuinely hope that hybrid technology takes things forward.”

Transport minister Norman Baker announced earlier this month that £15 million in funding will be made available for the inclusion of 150 green buses in fleets across the UK.

It is thought that the project could save 50,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

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