Transport and Sustainability
As a public transport operator we support the development of more sustainable travel solutions to reduce the growing social, environmental and economic costs associated with our current travel patterns.
In a sustainable transport network, safe, quality services attract a wide range of passengers with different travel needs. It provides efficient travel and achieves a modal shift away from car usage.
Transport and the Environment
Exhaust emissions account for much of the environmental costs of road transport. Public transport offers excellent opportunities to limit the damage as buses and trains produce significantly lower emissions per passenger journeys than cars and planes.
Developments in engine technology and increasingly stringent emission limits have reduced emissions of major pollutants from buses. In our UK Bus division investment in new vehicles has achieved the following emission reductions since 2001.
| EMISSION REDUCTIONS IN THE UK BUS DIVISION SINCE 2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pollutant | Percentage reduction | Tonnage reduction |
| Particulates | 64% | 306 |
| Nitric oxides | 38% | 2883 |
| Carbon monoxide | 67% | 2474 |
| Hydrocarbons | 62% | 800 |
In addition, our move from low-sulphur to zero-sulphur diesel has removed 8.5 tonnes of sulphur emissions from the atmosphere per year. The introduction of biodiesel has reduced our carbon dioxide emissions by around 25,000 tonnes over the last 12 months.
In the UK Rail division investment in trains with larger, more powerful engines has increased our total emissions in some operating companies. However, the improved reliability, comfort and performance of these trains is driving continued passenger growth, reductions in emissions per passenger kilometre and improved fuel efficiency.
Social and Economic Role of Transport
Public transport not only offers an opportunity to improve the environment but also fulfils important social and economic functions. Our services are vital to many people relying on public transport for access to employment, health care and other essential aspects of daily life. We carefully consider the needs of these groups when developing our services. We provide a choice of travel options for all and, in many cases, offer the most efficient means for those travelling to and from work (especially in heavily populated areas).
Our role is to provide an effective public transport network to serve the widest possible community. As a public limited company we must carefully assess the commercial viability of our routes and consider the varied needs of community members. We aim to manage these balances as effectively as possible, building a better transport network that maximises the benefit to the community and attracts growth in passenger numbers.