Baroness Kramer opens Reading’s gas bus biogas station 11 September 2014

Transport minister Baroness Kramer has unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of Reading Buses' new £1 million compressed biomethane station.

"When we decided to go gas we took a risk and stepped outside our comfort zone big style," says outgoing Reading Buses chief executive officer James Freeman.

"We wanted to celebrate the opening of our gas station a year ago, but things took a great deal longer than expected. But it's here now and running superbly."

Freeman says Reading Buses' move to CNG (compressed natural gas) is in recognition of the perception of diesel engines as a public enemy.

The operator has been running 34 Scania gas buses on Reading services, and Freeman confirms that they are reliable and cheaper to run and considerably cleaner than diesel equivalents.

But whereas the gas fuel has hitherto been brought in by tanker, now it is brought onto site from the mains, compressed on site and stored prior to piping to the fuelling station. Behind the scenes, compressed biomethane is supplied by the Gas Vehicle Alliance, hich injects carbon neutral gas into the national grid.

"This is a very big step forward," says Baroness Kramer. "Reading has been so successful in going green and bus operators want lower running costs, which is part of what you are seeing here today.

"This investment in the filling station is a major contribution to the town with a better service to customers and better air quality for the population of Reading as well."

Baroness Kramer believes Reading will become a template for other bus companies. "This really is the bus showing off its green credentials and I shall direct people to Reading to see the gas buses.

"Today I am announcing investment using the Green Vehicle Technology Fund to help councils adopt cutting edge technology and we are awarding Reading £360,000, which will see more than 100 local taxis running on compressed hybrid fuel.

"This is another achievement driven by the council and community and a cutting edge approach that Reading has to keep down emissions and produce clean air."

Author
Brian Tinham

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