The sightseeing company, which operates in London and Windsor, made the shift to HVO fuel this month to boost its environmental credentials
Sightseeing operator Tootbus London, a subsidiary of RATP Dev, has announced that the company’s vehicles have switched to 100% renewable energy sources. Making the change this month, the move is in line with company’s strategy to be more environmentally friendly; Tootbus London already has the first two electric open-top buses in London.
The firm’s tourist buses, which operate in London and Windsor, will be powered by HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), a bio-based liquid fuel and diesel substitute which is expected to reduce the firm’s greenhouse emissions from its buses by 90%. Older diesel vehicles within the fleet will also undergo an electric retrofitting programme as part of the company’s commitment to using renewable energy sources.
Managing Director of Tootbus London Gavin Brooking said: “Given the importance of tackling climate change, we want to do our part to make our vehicles greener. Customers are increasingly factoring in sustainability into their tourism trips and our shift to environmentally-friendly fuel will help visitors to rediscover cities by offering green transport to all.”
Based in Wandsworth, Tootbus London offers customers hop-on hop-off tours on its open-air buses of some of the world’s most famous attractions. To mark the change, the company has updated the vehicles’ livery, which features a Union Jack and now has planet-friendly branding in line with the growing recognition that operators in the tourism industry must become more sustainable.
The company said that work is also underway to source ‘greener’ electricity suppliers for its operations.
