Environment
Approach
Go-Ahead is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations by improving our energy efficiency while at the same time providing our passengers with rail and bus services which are of the highest quality, efficiency and convenience.
“Go-Ahead’s investment in intelligent lighting at depots is a good and effective project which has already produced results.” George Muir, Former Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies
The Government has set legally binding carbon targets, to reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Transport now contributes a quarter of UK carbon emissions, with cars accounting for more than half of this. In contrast, buses and trains contribute less than 5%. More people on our services mean fewer car journeys on the road, reducing congestion and pollution.
Our approach has two key aims:
- to deliver high quality services that provide attractive alternatives to car travel; and
- to provide services, which are sustainable and environmentally responsible.
In particular, we have invested £8 million in initiatives related to these key drivers:
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Regenerate braking
– We led the rail industry by introducing regenerative braking on the third rail to allow our electric trains to reuse energy generated when a train brakes. Last year, 24% of the train fleet was capable of regenerative breaking.
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Fuel-efficient driving
– We have trained all our bus drivers in fuel-efficient driving and introduced on-board technology to measure fuel consumption. Go-Ahead operates around 3,800 buses.
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Onsite energy saving
– We reduced site energy consumption by 9% in the past year through the introduction of intelligent lighting and smart gas and electricity meters in our depots and train stations.
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Invested in new buses
– We have the greenest major bus fleet in Britain. Around 90% of our bus fleet meets Euro 2 standard engines. Electricity generated from renewable sources including hydro-power, wind-power and bio-mass fuels, will provide around 70% of the company's required electricity supply.
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Staff-focused programmes
– We encouraged our staff to get involved by taking simple steps to reduce energy consumption at work – for example, switching off lights and office equipment.