New eco-friendly buses unveiled by Stagecoach and University to cut south coast carbon emissions

CARBON emissions across the south coast are en-route to tumble after Stagecoach and the University of Chichester unveiled new eco-friendly buses which will carry students across the region.

The modern double-deckers, which replace the nearly eight-year-old vehicles currently in service, are fitted with technologically-advanced Euro6 engines designed to cut pollution between stops.

Each bus, which includes USB charging ports and Wi-Fi for riders, will run between the University’s two campuses weekdays and the Coastliner 700 route from Bognor Regis to Portsmouth at weekends.

University Director of Estates John Kingdon said: “Environmental sustainability has been adopted into the very heart of our culture – not only in the way students study, but how they travel. Students are more conscious of living sustainable lifestyles than ever before, so we’re delighted that we now operate one of the most environmentally-friendly bus services on the south coast.

“Our students ride the inter-campuses buses for free which helps to reduce the number of cars on our roads and cuts emissions. We’ve had a successful partnership with Stagecoach for many years so are really pleased to continue that into the next decade.”

The UK-built buses include ADL smartseats, alongside ergonomic headrests, and audio-visual announcement screens to help riders and students new to the area. Their advanced Euro6 engines are also fitted with modernised alternators and compressors to improve air quality and remove harmful pollutants, notably nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide.

Students’ Union President Moyin Ekundayo said: “There’s been a real community effort from students and staff to reduce our carbon footprint. It’s great that students who travel across Chichester and Bognor Regis campuses to attend lectures do so knowing they’re helping cut carbon emissions while still being able to work and study on the buses thanks to the new technologies.”

The agreement with Stagecoach to introduce the new buses comes just months after the University of Chichester was named as the UK’s fifth most environmentally-friendly institution, having reduced its carbon footprint by more than 1,200 tonnes in the last decade.

Stagecoach South Managing Director Edward Hodgson said: “We are delighted to make this investment in providing better transport facilities for students at the University of Chichester. The new buses represent a real enhancement in travel experience, with the Euro6 engines which reduce NOx by 80 per cent and particulates by 50 per cent.

“Looking after the environment is a responsibility we all share and we see this as a positive step forwards and a significant contribution towards improving air quality – reducing our environmental impact and hopefully encouraging more customers to ‘Switch to Bus’ and opt for our greener, smarter travel option.”

For more about the new E400 MMC buses and how Stagecoach are helping to cut carbon emissions go to www.switchtobus.com. For more on the research being undertaken at the University of Chichester to develop environmental and sustainable technologies visit www.chi.ac.uk.