In Brief: Stagecoach; Bedfords Group; ABL Capital

BUSES in Sheffield are switching from diesel to cleaner engine fuels as part of a £1m scheme improving local air quality.

Clean Bus Technology Funding from the Department of Transport is being used to retrofit five Stagecoach vehicles with dedicated compressed natural gas engines, which will run on biomethane.

The scheme, which has been part-funded by Stagecoach in Sheffield, will reduce engine noise by 50%, deliver carbon savings of between 85 and 140% and ensure the virtual elimination of particulate matter from exhausts.

It will also create increased employment and apprenticeships opportunities at equipment suppliers including city-based Chesterfield Special Cylinders.

Paul Lynch, managing director, Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in securing this significant Clean Bus Technology Funding.

“It forms part of our continued commitment to improving air quality by switching from diesel to cleaner fuels. Along with our own investment into the scheme, it supports the reduction of reliance on diesel as a primary fuel source in the future.”

Five Euro IV Optare Solo buses will be fitted with the natural gas engines and the investment also includes the installation of a compressed natural gas refuelling station at Stagecoach’s Ecclesfield depot.

Sheffield City Council led the Clean Bus Technology Fund bid in partnership with Stagecoach as part of the Sheffield Bus Partnership.

The scheme will start in the new year when work will to retrofit the vehicles is complete.

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LOGISTICS business Bedfords Group has acquired three new clients, Flint Group, Eclipse Print and Kermi, all formally clients of Bill Chippington Haulage.

When the company recently went into administration, Bedfords stepped in to ensure Chippington’s that all existing contracts continued to be serviced.

Bedfords provided a smooth transition, adopting specialist vehicles and saving five jobs in the process.

Steff Pfadenhauer, managing director of Leeds-based Bedfords, said: “These businesses are welcome additions to the Bedfords portfolio and fit perfectly within our business strategy. Whilst our main focus has been consolidation in recent months, we are always actively seeking new clients.”

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A COMMERCIAL finance company based in Leeds has undergone a name change and restructure.

AF Capital has changed to ABL Capital after three years of trading.

Andy Redman, managing director, said: “The main reason for the change is the business’s prime focus on asset based lending and the success we have had for our clients in this area. We felt that ABL, the short hand version of ‘Asset Based Lending’ in the finance industry, was a better fit for us, our products, services and more importantly our clients.”