Reducing our carbon footprint

First Student

We operate our vehicle fleet as efficiently as possible through effective maintenance and driver training and will continue to implement our no idling policy and tyre replacement programme to reduce fuel use. In addition we are introducing to our buses new electronic control modules that record a wide range of variables such as vehicle braking, idling time, routes etc.

The information derived from this technology will be used in future safety training but we will consider too how this can be used to promote more fuel efficient driving. We will also look at the possibility of obtaining fuel efficiency data for individual vehicles on a pilot basis. As vehicles are largely driven by the same drivers, this would allow us to assess the performance of individual drivers and promote best practice.

Emissions from new vehicles we purchase are controlled by rapidly changing emission standards relating to particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and non-methane hydrocarbons. The most recent standards were introduced in 2007 and required the conversion of the First Student vehicle fleet to ultra low sulphur diesel. This is due to the fact that the new technology required to meet the new standards is not tolerant to sulphur.

Carbon dioxide emissions from these vehicles are not regulated and at present we do not know if there will be any consequent impact on fuel use. Through our Climate Change Strategy we will work with our vehicle suppliers to seek to minimise any fuel consumption impacts.

First Transit

First Transit largely operates vehicles that belong to its customers with whom we work closely to reduce emissions. We check every vehicle for fuel efficiency (miles per gallon) four times each year and employ a number of fuel efficiency initiatives. These include:

• a company-wide no idling policy;
• a tyre replacement programme that reduces rolling resistance and saves fuel;
• wherever possible, use of synthetic lubricants in transmission to improve fuel savings; and
• procedures to identify air leaks and high electrical draws that place unnecessary loads on the engine.

First Transit will also be examining how new electronic control models can support driver training initiatives for greater fuel efficiency.

 

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