Bus firm branches out to go green

Stagecoach has pledge to offset emissions by planting 140,000 trees

Scotland's first carbon neutral bus route has been launched with 140,000 trees to be planted to offset emissions on Fife to Edinburgh journeys.

Stagecoach claims all its Fife to Edinburgh buses will become carbon neutral for the next five years.

The initiative, in partnership with Scottish charity Global Trees, could save 21,500 tonnes in CO2 emissions.

It will cover all services from St Andrews, Leven, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Dunfermline.

Stagecoach already uses fuel with 5% biodiesel and a hi-tech fuel additive manufactured using nanotechnology to keep emissions from its 7,000-vehicle bus fleet across the UK down.

The firm claims the latest move will see the new trees absorb 4,300 tonnes in annual CO2 emissions generated by the Fife-Edinburgh fleet over the next five years.

This is an extremely exciting initiative, which is setting the standard for greener, smarter bus travel and helping our customers reduce their own carbon footprint Brian Souter Stagecoach

It said that would mean all Stagecoach services between Fife and Edinburgh crossing the Forth Road Bridge would be carbon neutral until 2013.

A mix of conifer, broadleaf and native woodlands will be planted as part of the project.

Brian Souter, Stagecoach group chief executive, said: "This is an extremely exciting initiative, which is setting the standard for greener, smarter bus travel and helping our customers reduce their own carbon footprint.

"There is an increasing awareness about the impact of people's behaviour on the environment.

"We hope this innovative project will promote intelligent car use, encourage more people to get on board public transport and help protect the planet."

The trees are being planted on Buccleuch Woodlands estates in the south of Scotland.

Peter Grant, founder of Global Trees, said: "It is fantastic that an organisation the size and scope of Stagecoach has become involved with Global Trees and has committed to off-setting its Fife to Edinburgh bus network."

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