Commuters will be travelling on greener public transport after a fleet of buses in Stoke-on-Trent was upgraded to help cut harmful nitrogen dioxide pollution in the air.
In addition to the 17 engine retrofits, 20 newer buses have been brought into the city meaning a total of 37 cleaner buses are now on the roads.
The focus has been on vehicles that use Bucknall New Road, a major bus route in and out of the city centre, because it has had concentrations of nitrogen dioxide which exceed the government’s statutory pollution limit.
A government grant, awarded to Stoke-on-Trent City Council as part of its National Air Quality Plan, has been used to fund the £640,000 upgrade scheme.
Councillor Amjid Wazir, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment and enforcement, said: “Thanks to this grant we’ve been able to work with our partners at First Bus and D&G Bus on this project following a requirement by the UK Government to improve air quality.
“This programme of bus improvements is expected to lead to NO2 levels being reduced to below the government’s limit.
“Early data suggests that this initiative is already helping to improve air quality. The 20 newer buses that already meet emissions standards bring other benefits like more comfortable seats and improved reliability.
“Work to the last two buses was completed in July, so we expect to see further benefits in the future.”
Kallum Crawford, Operations Manager, D&G Bus said: “We are very pleased to have worked in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to deliver 14 retrofitted Euro6 buses following a grant from central government to improve air quality in the city.
“These buses will predominantly operate on local bus services along Bucknall New Road and together with new vehicles we are adding to our fleet, will help improve air quality through reduced carbon emissions. We very much welcome the investment made by the city council.”
