‘Number two’ bus hits the road

Britain’s first “number two” bus has taken to the road — powered entirely by human and food waste.

Bio-Bus, a 40-seater shuttle service between Bath and Bristol Airport, can travel up to 298km on one tank of gas.

The gas is generated through the treatment of sewage and food waste that is unfit for human consumption. Engineers believe Bio-Bus could provide a sustainable way of fuelling public transport while improving urban air quality.

The gas produces fewer emissions than traditional diesel engines and is both renewable and sustainable.

It is generated at Bristol sewage treatment works, which is run by GENeco, a subsidiary of Wessex Water.

This week, the company also became the first in the UK to inject gas generated from human and food waste into the national gas grid network.

Mohammed Saddiq, general manager of GENeco, said: “Through treating sewage and food that’s unfit for human consumption we’re able to produce enough biomethane to provide a significant supply of gas to the national gas network that’s capable of powering almost 8,500 homes as well as fuelling the Bio-Bus.