09/01/2007

• “Green” initiative in place at 80 sites in Scotland, England and Wales
• Gas consumption slashed by a third following Vickers Electronics project
• CO2 output cut by 36% in move to improve environmental sustainability

Stagecoach has cut emissions from dozens of its workplaces across the UK by an average of 36% after the introduction of a hi-tech energy management system.

Gas consumption at 80 depots has been slashed by an average of 36%, while CO2 emissions have been cut by more than 6,200 tonnes a year.

Developed by Manchester-based Vickers Electronics Ltd, the technology is now in place at 80 Stagecoach sites in Scotland, England and Wales, saving hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

The system uses self-learning predictive programming, coupled with high accuracy temperature sensing. It takes over the control of the existing heating and delivers improved control, staff comfort and dramatic reductions in energy consumption.

Stagecoach has worked in partnership with Vickers on the project for three years, initially installing the system at a handful of sites and monitoring the savings delivered, before rolling it out across its bus depots in the UK.

Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “Tackling climate change is one of the key priorities facing the global economy. As one of the country's major businesses, we are committed to playing our part in building a sustainable environment and improving the environmental management of our operations.

“The introduction of this state-of-the-art technology has delivered a significant reduction in our energy consumption and emissions. As well as benefiting the local environment, it means we can invest more in our public transport services.”

The Government is encouraging companies to reduce the amount of energy they use as part of a range of policies designed to tackle climate change.

Vickers, which has been accredited with the international quality standard ISO 9002, was awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Environmental Achievement in 1994 for its unique method of controlling heating systems.

Malcolm McKinlay, Vickers Electronics Regional Accounts Manager, said: “Vickers have worked for many years in the energy reduction sector, leading the way in helping companies like Stagecoach cut emissions. With the recent surge in interest through media reports and Government initiatives, we are well placed to deliver similar results for other businesses.

“We are proud of our partnership with Stagecoach and have been impressed with both their desire to take action on climate change and their willingness to share information on their successes with their commercial rivals – putting the environment before the commercial ‘edge'.”

Stagecoach is already involved in a number of initiatives to make its operations more environmentally sustainable. In August 2006, Stagecoach conducted the first UK trials of a bio-ethanol powered bus outside London in a move that could lead to the company's vehicles being powered by sugar beets in the future.

Last year, Stagecoach expanded the use of biodiesel to 1,800 vehicles in its UK bus fleet in a move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

Stagecoach has already rolled out the use of the next-generation fuel additive Envirox™ across its entire UK bus fleet after the success of a 12-month commercial evaluation. Tests of the product delivered more than a 5% cut in fuel consumption and an associated decrease in vehicle emissions.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111
Mobile: 07764 774680
E-mail: steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

Stagecoach is one of the UK's biggest bus operators, running around 7,000 buses in nearly 100 towns and cities across the country, from the Highlands of Scotland to south-west England.

Vickers Electronics Ltd, which was established in 1990, operates from a base at Trafford Park, Manchester. It has more than 4,000 customers who are benefiting from its energy control systems.

The energy management system is in use at the following Stagecoach sites:

Scotland: Aberdeen, Aberhill, Ardrossan, Ayr, Cowdenbeath, Cumnock, Dumfries, Dundee, Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Perth, Peterhead.

England: Barnsley, Bedford, Chichester, Darlington, Doncaster, Exeter, Grimsby, Hartlepool, Hastings, Huddersfield, Hull, Kettering, Lillyhall, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Preston, Ramsgate, Rawmarsh, Shafton, South Shields, Stockton, Sunderland, Winchester, Worksop.

Wales: Brynmawr, Cwmbran, Merthyr, Porth.