Red Bus to clean up Christchurch
New Zealand’s second biggest public bus fleet has stepped in to help clean up Christchurch air by switching to a new
cleaner burning diesel.
From next month, all of Red Bus Ltd’s 170 diesel buses will run on BP low sulphur diesel which has 80 percent less
sulphur than other diesel. They are the first major public bus company in New Zealand to run all their buses on the
healthier lower sulphur fuel.
The low sulphur diesel is more expensive but Red Bus chief executive Greg Campbell said they wanted to lead the way in
improving Christchurch’s air quality, particularly in winter. ``The impact of emissions from the bus fleet on
Christchurch air is a major concern to Red Bus, and in partnership with BP, we will reduce that impact by using a
cleaner burning fuel,’’ he said.
Red Bus’s decision to run their fleet on more environmentally friendly fuel will remove 4.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide
emissions from Christchurch’s air each year.
Mr Campbell said they wanted to run their 170 buses on the more expensive lower sulphur fuel because they were
committed to sustainable business practices in the community.
BP’s lower sulphur diesel average 370 parts per million, compared to other New Zealand diesel of up to 3000 parts per
million.
Peter Griffiths, managing director for BP, said Red Bus was showing significant environmental responsibility to the
people of Christchurch by substantially cutting back on emissions.
Red Bus is owned by Christchurch City Council and has the youngest and most modern fleet in the country.
The Government plans to reduce sulphur levels in several stages over the next four years. Diesel sulphur has been
linked to health problems and increases exhaust smoke and odour from vehicles.
Red Buses move 10.6 million passengers a year in Christchurch. The company, with 350 staff, have spent $11 million on
new buses in the last three years.
Note: Sulphur levels in New Zealand’s diesel lag the United Kingdom, Europe and parts of Australia where acceptable
levels are between 50 to 500 ppm. Nearly all diesel in New Zealand is manufactured at Northland’s Marsden Pt oil
refinery which does not have the capacity to produce a diesel of 500ppm nationwide without significant upgrade.