Biofuel buses cheap as chips

The Bio-Bus project being introduced in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, is the first scheme of its kind in the UK, according to bus company Stagecoach.

Eight buses in the town will run on 100 per cent biodiesel manufactured from used cooking oil and tallow, which is expected to cut CO2 emissions by up to 82 per cent.

Households on the bus routes are each being given a free container to recycle their used cooking oil. In return for handing over the oil to the bus company, they will receive cheaper bus fares.

Switch
The buses themselves have been fitted with dual fuel tanks which can hold both traditional and biodiesel fuel. When the buses start in the morning they will run on mineral diesel until the engine reaches the right temperature. They will then automatically switch over to biodiesel, which will power the vehicle for the rest of the day.

Recycling
Secretary of State for Scotland Des Browne, said, "A recycling initiative that fuels public transport cuts carbon emissions twice over. It is particularly important that the project is using biofuel from wholly recycled material and not from a source competing with food production."

The six month trial is being run in partnership with biodiesel business Argent Energy Ltd and East Ayrshire Council, which will support the recycling element of the project.