Calls to extend new hybrid bus fleet

GREEN campaigners have welcomed Lothian’s fleet of new eco-friendly hybrid buses, which take to the roads tomorrow, but called on the Scottish Government to do more.

The 15 electric-diesel double-deckers, to operate on the Lothian Buses No 10 route, will cut carbon emissions by 30 per cent. The £5 million investment, including a £1m contribution from the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund, is Scotland’s biggest single investment in green hybrid bus technology. Lothians Green MSP Alison Johnstone tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament welcoming “this small step” and calling on the government to ensure that every new bus in Scotland is a low-emission hybrid bus.

Calum McCallum, of campaign group Transform Scotland, said: “The government could afford to extend the Scottish Greener Bus Fund to replace the entire bus fleet.”