London, United Kingdom – Transport for London (TfL) has been successfully reducing the environmental impact of transport in the Capital over the last year – making good progress in providing a cleaner and greener transport network, and helping to tackle climate change.

2006 TfL Environment Report highlights many successes including:

• A shift away from car use to public transport;
• A reduction of harmful emissions;
• The trial of six new Hybrid buses, and 3 Hydrogen fuel cell buses;
• The development of the London Construction Consolidation Centre

Peter Hendy, TfL Commissioner, said: "Climate change is a huge issue facing all of us, and this report shows that Transport for London is successfully working to reduce the impact that the transport network has on the environment.

"We have a major role to play in delivering the Mayor’s environmental strategies and are already looking ahead, identifying ways that we can innovate and lead the effort to tackle climate change head on."

Shift from car use to public transport
Since TfL was formed in 2000, there has been a shift of 5 per cent away from car usage, saving 500,000 car journeys per day and an estimated 210,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year.

For most major cities in the world pollution from road transport is their most significant problem in tackling climate change.

In London it makes a much smaller contribution because of the extensive public transport network and TfL’s success over the last six years in improving and expanding this.

TfL has also worked to encourage people to make walking and cycling part of their regular journeys.

Cycling in London has grown fast, up 72 per cent on Red Routes in the past six years.

Congestion Charging reducing emissions
The scheme has reduced CO2 emissions from road transport by 16 per cent since its introduction.

Particulate matter (PM10) emissions – those most harmful to human health – have been reduced in the charging zone by 15 per cent.

The proposed western extension to the Congestion Charging zone is expected to bring further environmental benefits to London.

Hybrid Buses
The trial of six new hybrid diesel-electric buses was launched as the first step in significantly cutting CO2 emissions from the bus fleet. The new single-decker buses are currently operating on route 360 in London, from Elephant & Castle to Kensington.

TfL is actively pursuing the development and increased deployment of hybrid buses on London’s bus network, with the world’s first double-decker hybrid bus recently launched.

The Mayor has expressed his desire that TfL should rapidly adopt hybrid buses once manufacturers commence mass production. Assuming adequate vehicle availability, it is hoped that all new buses will be hybrids by 2012.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses
The Mayor of London also announced his commitment to take delivery of ten additional hydrogen fuelled buses, encouraging the transport industry to deliver the necessary vehicles and refuelling technology so that these clean vehicles can be rolled out across London.

The only exhaust emission they produce is water vapour. This follows a highly successful trial of three hydrogen fuel cell buses operating on route RV1 from Covent Garden to Tower Gateway.

London Construction Consolidation Centre
A two-year pilot started in January 2005, which means building materials can be delivered to a one-stop centre in bulk, for local distribution to individual construction sites in the quantities needed.

This has cut the number of delivery journeys needed from 1,500 to 395 in the first six months, and reduced CO2 emissions from those vehicles by 73 per cent.

Background information