TravelFootprint

Green fleet operators win Ecostars award

Major fleet operators have been honoured for their green-friendly credentials at a special awards ceremony in Edinburgh.

The ECOSTARS Edinburgh launch gave recognition to fleet operators who have achieved five stars for environmental performance, helping reduce carbon emissions and improve Edinburgh's air quality.

Highland Explorer Tours, City Circle Coaches, NEXT and DHL were amongst those who were honoured at the event, organised by the City of Edinburgh Council.

The event brought together organisations from the road freight and passenger transport sectors to discuss the benefits that ECOSTARS offers including energy efficiency and reduced emissions. The ECOSTARS scheme is free to join and provides recognition and tailor-made support on environmental best practice to fleet operators.

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, Transport Leader, presented certificates and the five-star awards to businesses during the event. He said, "I am delighted to be able to present some ... More »

Govt launches UKH2Mobilty initiative

A ground breaking project to ensure the UK is well positioned for the commercial roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles has been launched, Business Minister Mark Prisk announced today.

The new initiative – UKH2Mobility – brings together three Government Departments and 13 industrial partners from the utility, gas, infrastructure and global car manufacturing sectors.

The group will evaluate the potential for hydrogen as a fuel for Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles in the UK before developing an action plan for an anticipated roll-out to consumers in 2014/15. It aims to:

* Analyse in detail the specific UK case for the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles as one of a number of solutions to decarbonise road transport;
* Review the investments required to commercialise the technology, including infrastructure; and
* Identify what is required to make the UK a leading ... More »

Government confirms HS2 high speed rail route

The Government has given the go-ahead for the £32 billion HS2 high speed rail network that will reduce journey times between major cities.

The initial phase of the scheme is set to link London and Birmingham, at a cost of £17 billion. There were concerns of damaging an area of outstanding natural beauty between the cities, but Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced today that sections will be tunnelled.

Last minute adjustments may have been made to the proposed route following fierce proposition from the Conservative-voting constituencies in the Chiltern Hills. Construction of a tunnel below the area of outstanding natural beauty has been confirmed, to mitigate feared noise pollution and landscape destruction.

The first phase of the network will see a high speed line built from London to Birmingham by 2026, to carry passengers at 225 mph cutting the journey time to 49 ... More »

London Mayor heralds arrival of new hybrid bus

The first bus designed specifically for London in more than 50 years arrived in the capital last Friday – marking the first time that a prototype has been seen by members of the public.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, committed to build the bus in his election manifesto and he was one of the first to jump on board today when the bus was driven from City Hall to Trafalgar Square to be unveiled in front of Christmas shoppers, tourists and Londoners.

In just under two years the new bus has gone from the drawing board to a fully functioning prototype. Today the Mayor announced that the first prototype buses will be operated by Arriva and will enter passenger service on 20 February next year on one of the Capital's busiest routes, the 38, which runs from Victoria Station to Hackney.

The ... More »