Wasting fuel: Britain's first 'poo bus' goes into service

The 40-seat 'Bio-bus' is powered entirely by human and food waste.

17:57 21 November 2014

The UK’s first-ever “Bio-bus” which runs on biomethane gas generated through the treatment of sewage and food waste has gone into service between Bristol and Bath.

The eco-friendly vehicle, which has a 40 seating capacity and can travel up to 300km on one tank of gas, is run by tour operator Bath Plus Bus Company.

GENeco general manager Mohammed Saddiq said: "Gas-powered vehicles have an important role to play in improving air quality in UK cities but the Bio-Bus goes further than that and is actually powered by people living in the local area, including quite possibly those on the bus itself."

Bath Bus Company's Collin Field, said: "With so much attention being directed towards improving air quality generally, the public reaction to the appearance of this bus on a service between a world heritage city and an airport will further focus on the potential for this particular fuel."

He added that the launch date was perfect as Bristol is set to become the European Green Capital next year. The city’s sewage treatment processes around 75 million cubic metres of sewage waste and 35,000 tonnes of food waste each year.