Transport firm gives green support to Echo business awards

A transport company is back on board as backers of the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Awards.
A Sunderland gas bus.A Sunderland gas bus.
A Sunderland gas bus.

Stagecoach North East is sponsoring the Green Business category at the awards, and bosses said they were making some real progress themselves in becoming a greener, smarter bus company.

They highlighted the company’s GreenRoad system which is installed on all Stagecoach buses and uses a traffic-light LED system on the dashboard.

A Sunderland gas bus.A Sunderland gas bus.
A Sunderland gas bus.
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It gives drivers instant feedback on their driving manoeuvres and that encourages smoother, safer, and more fuel-efficient driving.

It has already led to an improvement in fuel efficiency and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

New types of fuels and fuel additives are also being tested, including a fleet of 40 gas buses in Sunderland which is a first for Stagecoach.

The rest of the company’s North East buses now run on B30 diesel, which blends 30% biodiesel with normal diesel, reducing harmful exhaust emissions.

A Sunderland gas bus.A Sunderland gas bus.
A Sunderland gas bus.
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But efforts are not just focused on the road. They also apply to depots, workshops, offices, canteens, kitchens, and toilets.

A spokesman said: “By April 2019, Stagecoach Group is aiming to reduce buildings carbon emissions by 7 percent, cut like-for-like fleet transport carbon emissions by 2 percent, lower water consumption by 9 percent, and achieve a waste recycling rate of 83 percent.

“Stagecoach Group has already been awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard for measuring, managing and reducing its global carbon footprint, becoming the first public transport operator to have its boundaries certified outside of Europe.”

Make it Sunderland is again our headline sponsor, and will sponsor our overall Business of the Year Award, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award, which is in the sponsor’s gift.

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Make It Sunderland is also backing the contribution social enterprises make to the city in the Social Enterprise Award.

Other sponsors are Maxim, Quayside Exchange, K&L Groundworks, UKasl, North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC), Gentoo and Age UK Sunderland, The Bridges, Stagecoach North East, and TTR Barnes.

To nominate, send your name, address and telephone number, the name of the person or business you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known).

State which category your nomination applies to (from the list of categories) and provide a description of the reasons for your nomination (no more than 300 words).

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Post your nomination to: Nicola Meldrum, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland. DH4 5RA, or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Nominations must be received by September 2.