Nottingham City Transport is currently trialling a MAN EcoCity gas-powered bus as part of its ongoing exploration into finding alternative fuel-powered vehicles. And, early indications show that the response from passengers to their ‘greener’ bus has been overwhelmingly positive.
MAN EcoCity has been designed specifically for the UK market and is currently on demonstration in partnership with MAN Truck & Bus UK in Swindon, the UK subsidiary of the Munich-based truck and bus manufacturer. MAN EcoCity is now in its third week of a 10-week trial and has been running on Citylink 2 which is the Park & Ride service between Nottingham, Colwick Park & Ride and Victoria Retail Park.
This specific bus – which has been designed to be able to use Biomethane as a fuel has CO₂ emissions that are 24% less than those of a new Euro 5 diesel engine, and has been described by many impressed customers and drivers as ‘quiet, spacious and smooth.’
NCT and Nottingham City Council have also been trialling ethanol-powered buses on the Ecolink 30 route to Wollaton. The City Council has recently introduced electric midibuses on its Centrelink and Medilink services, with hybrid electrics on order for its Localink fleet. This is all part of Nottingham City Council’s Energy Strategy and its commitment to reduce emissions within the city by 26% between 2005 and 2020.
“We have yet to determine the best long-term fuel option for larger buses, which is why trials like this with our partner Nottingham City Transport, are so important,” said Cllr Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transport .
Nottingham City Transport’s Marketing Manager, Anthony Carver-Smith adds, “Reducing our Carbon emissions is an ongoing priority for NCT, but we’re determined that using alternative fuel-powered vehicles should not have a negative impact on the comfort, or the pockets of our passengers. The Gas Bus is being very well received and gives us a great insight into how we might develop our ‘greener’ fleet in the future.”
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, September 19, 2012; Image: Nottingham City Transport