Nottingham buses upgraded to reduce emissions

Bus operator Nottingham City Transport has upgraded the buses on its university service to Euro 5 standard in order to reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions

Buses on a route used by University of Nottingham students have been upgraded in order to reduce the fleet’s particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Bus operator Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has upgraded buses on its Go2 Uni 31 service from the Euro 2 Standard for emissions to Euro 6 standard in a move that has been welcomed by the University.

One of the upgraded buses on the University of Nottingham student service (Photo: Nottingham City Transport)

The Euro 6 Standard, along with Euro 5, is part of the 2007 European Commission regulation (715/2007) on traffic emissions. Coming into force in 2014, Euro 6 will require emissions of nitrogen dioxide from light passenger and commercial vehicles with diesel engines to be substantially reduced.

Once in place, EU member states will be required to refuse the approval, registration, sale and introduction of vehicles that do not comply with stated emissions limits.

According to NCT, the latest upgrade is part of a £5.47 million total investment for 2013, which will see 48 brand new buses being purchased and an improvement of 20 routes across the city bus network.

The Go2 Uni 31 service runs between the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus Grounds and Nottingham city centre via Ilkeston Road, offering £1 fares for students.

The service runs every 12 minutes during the day in term-time and has seen significant passenger growth in recent years, NCT said.

According to NCT, the buses have also been upgraded with brighter, more modern interiors; leather-effect seating; and increased leg room. The buses also feature real-time technology and audio announcements to provide information to passengers.

NCT marketing manager, Anthony Carver-Smith, said: “The carbon monoxide emissions on the Euro 5 engines are 63% lower, the nitrogen oxide emissions are 71% lower and the particulate matter emissions are 87% lower than before, so the new buses are really helping us continue our commitment to having one of the lowest-emission fleets in the UK.”

H added: “We are dedicated to reducing our environmental impact, whilst improving journeys for our passengers, and these newer, greener buses will help us hit both of these targets.”

Chris Jagger, chief estates and facilities officer at the University of Nottingham, said: “The University welcomes the new, greener buses on the 31 service. We’ve set ambitious carbon reduction targets in our Carbon Management Plan and are continually striving to reduce our carbon footprint, so NCT’s investment in buses with significantly lower emissions nicely complements the University’s approach.”

More information on the buses is available on the Nottingham City Transport website.

Earlier in April it was revealed that the UK, along with Austria and Finland, could face legal action from the European Commission for failing to implement EU requirements for vehicle tests into national law. The requirements include the Euro Standard stipulations for exhaust filters (see airqualitynews.com story).