Which local authority and transport operator has the biggest fleet of bio-gas double decker buses in the world? It’s Nottingham City Transport, of course.
With over 140 bio-gas powered vehicles in the fleet, NCT provides a comprehensive network of services across the city. Launched in 2017, the vehicles reduce CO2 emissions by a whopping 84% compared to diesel vehicles (source: https://www.nctx.co.uk/gasbus). In five years, they have saved over 26,000 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.
Eliminating pollution and waste
Aside from being powered by bio-gas, what else do all those sustainable vehicles have in common? They are all upholstered in recycled leather from ELeather meaning that for every seat cover made, NCT have helped recycle a kilo of leather waste.
It may not sound like much, but with an average of 70 seats per vehicle across the entire bio-gas fleet that’s over 10 tonnes of leather waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill!
Caption: Nottingham City Transport’s ELeather seat covers
Clean spaces for everyone
Nottingham City Transport have been using ELeather for over 12 years. Initially, it has been chosen to replace their existing vinyl seats to enhance the aesthetics and offer better comfort for passengers.
In that time, they’ve changed bus routes, vehicle types and seat designs but the use of ELeather has been a constant. Anthony Carver Smith, Head of Marketing at NCTX said “With high volumes of passengers day in and out, it’s important that the buses look and feel clean and well kept.
Whether that is the condition of the seat after a period of time or lack of stains, we’ve found that ELeather material looks great even after years in service. In day-to-day operations, it’s easy to wipe clean reducing the strain on our staff and the need to remove and deep clean covers”.
Caption: ELeather seat covers after almost a decade in service.
What’s next for NCTX
As the advancement in electric vehicles continues with increased battery performance, the operator is looking to invest millions in 78 new electric vehicles.
The new buses will mean a full electrification of NCTX’s single deck bus fleet serving 18 routes across the city. Meaning they will be able to meet their own goal of offering emissions-free public transport to the local population.
Trials have already been conducted and vendors for the vehicles have been selected. Now all that’s left to choose is the colour of ELeather for the next leg of Nottingham City Transport’s sustainability journey…
