Scotland rolls out green buses

electric hybrid buses have been introduced in Edinburgh, the first sign of a £4.4 million government investment in the green technology bearing fruit, states Herald Scotland.

Council-owned transport firm, Lothian Buses unveiled 15 double-decker vehicles, which cut fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions by 30%.

The buses will also feature free WiFi, along with LED lighting and 'audio visual next stop announcements', reports News Scotsman.

Lothian Buses environmental manager, Dr Steve Johnson says: “Our customers have specifically asked us to introduce environmentally-friendly vehicles.”

The new buses are built by Alexander Dennis, and are capable of running on electric power, which is stored in on-board batteries, writes Travel News.

The cells are charged using a regenerative braking system. Edinburgh's hybrid fleet will be operated by Lothian Buses, and will be available to passengers on the city's Service 10 route, which runs to Torphin from Western Harbour.

The fleet has been partially paid for by the Green Bus Fund.