The bus operator, as part of The Go-Ahead Group, has received landmark recognition for best practice in energy management after the transport operator’s units collectively cut carbon emissions by 30% in just three years, and by nearly 70% over the past ten years.
Having already held the certification for rail services, Go-Ahead is the first transport group to secure this globally recognised certification for all its bus and rail UK operations.
The ISO 50001 landmark, accredited by the International Standards Organisation is a standard of excellence for energy management.
The award is evidence of Swindon’s Bus Company's commitment to emissions reduction, a smaller carbon footprint and improved air quality, through measures including being one of Europe’s largest electric bus fleets.
Managing director, Andrew Wickham, said: “This is recognition of our drive to keep Swindon’s Bus Company at the forefront emission reduction in our community, and represents a big step forward for the transport industry as a whole.
“We have demonstrated our commitment to reducing emissions with a number of initiatives - including introducing a new fleet of buses with greener engines.
“This year, we were recognised with a RouteOne Environment Award in a nod to our efforts to reduce congestion and improve air quality across the south.
“However, this is just the beginning. At a group level, Go-Ahead are targeting a further 20% reduction by 2021 and we are confident of reaching that ambitious target.”
Judith Turner, Environment and Energy Technical Manager at Lloyd’s Register, the company that run the accreditation process, said: “Go Ahead’s certification to ISO 50001:2011 demonstrates their commitment to energy efficiency and continual improvement.
“Their recently certified energy management system can help them achieve greater carbon and energy reductions, and will take them one step closer to achieving their ambition of positioning public transport as part of the solution to climate change.”
In September, Go Ahead launched the UK’s first ever air-filtering bus that makes the air around it cleaner as it travels. This innovative bus, operated by Swindon’s Bus Company’s sister company Bluestar, cleans the air in Southampton 1.7 times a year to a height of 10 metres. It was the latest in a series of green innovations by Go Ahead, including investing in a Frankfurt-based electric car sharing business Mobileeee.
The operator is additionally working with regulators including the Department for Transport to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and with local authorities to improve air quality in our cities and towns.
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