Stagecoach Manchester in Running for Green Award
Company shortlisted for accolade at inaugural Greater Manchester Green Business Awards
Going for Green: Stagecoach Manchester has in the last two years been influential in adopting electric hybrid buses. Today, they are a common part of the 43 route to Manchester Airport. This example was photographed outside the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport and First Manchester's Queen's Road depot, weeks after its introduction.
As recently as a decade ago, some buses often left for their desired destination with a trail of blue smoke. Today’s vehicles leave with hardly any trail of smoke as improved technology has resulted in reduced emissions. Even so, most of our vehicles still burn fossil fuels and powerful engines has led to today’s buses having a lower miles per gallon rate than the Leyland Atlanteans, Daimler Fleetlines and Bristol VRTs of old.
There has been previous attempts by SELNEC and Greater Manchester Transport in reducing carbon emissions by means of the Lucas Battery Bus, the Chloride Silent Rider and hybrid Seddon Pennine IVs. None of which have had the same impact as Stagecoach Manchester’s efforts, so much so that it has been shortlisted for an award.
The inaugural Greater Manchester Green Business Awards will see them shortlisted in the Large Business category. Organised by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, this event will take place on the 8th March at Manchester Central.
The company has been shortlisted for its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and to recycling waste generated by the business. Besides recycling waste oil, this includes its internal schemes, designed to engage staff and encourage them to support Stagecoach’s environmental initiatives.
The awards recognise local organisations of various sizes, which have placed environmental best practice at the heart of their business success. Stagecoach Manchester faces competition in the Large Business category from five other local organisations, including The Trafford Centre and the University of Manchester.
Christopher Bowles, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: “Stagecoach Manchester takes its environmental responsibility very seriously, and we aim to offer the most up-to-date vehicles and best service possible to our customers, while at the same time keeping the environmental impact of our operations to a minimum.
“The introduction of hybrid buses onto our routes and the launch of our purpose built, eco-friendly depot at Sharston last year, as well as our staff-focused green initiatives, have helped the company to work towards creating best practice environmental policies, as well as improving the working environment to a higher than industry standard.
“I am extremely proud of the commitment that the whole team has demonstrated in working towards our collective green targets, and I hope that this dedication will be rewarded on the day.”
S.V., 16 February 2012.
