Biofuel buses introduced in Helsinki public transport

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The first buses running on biodiesel were introduced in the capital area public transportation this morning, Friday.
      Initially only six vehicles - utilising the second-generation biodiesel originally developed by Finland's state-owned oil refining company Neste Oil - are taking part in the experiment. In the coming weeks, however, this figure will increase to around 60.
      In all, there are around 1,400 buses operating within the Greater Helsinki area's public transportation system.
     
The original plan was to commence the biofuel experiment in August with no fewer than 700 busses, but Neste Oil’s application for exemption from the diesel tax is yet to come through.
      "We have applied for full exemption from diesel taxation, but we still don’t know if and when we will get it", explains marketing and sales manager Sami Oja of Neste Oil.
      Two capital area bus contractors, Pohjolan Liikenne and Veolia Transport, are taking part in the first phase of the experiment. From the beginning of 2008 they will be joined by Helsingin Bussiliikenne, the capital area’s principal bus operator owned by the City of Helsinki.
      The aim is to have every second bus operating in the Greater Helsinki Area running on biofuel by the year 2010.
     
The idea behind the experiment is to reduce the capital area’s emission levels from public transportation. The nitrogen oxide and particle emissions of biodiesel are lower than those of regular diesel.
      "The experiment will not yet have an impact on the air quality, but in 2010 it certainly will", confirms Reijo Mäkinen, head of public transportation services at the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council (YTV).
      Switching to biodiesel does not require any alterations to buses. The outlay of the experiment is around EUR 100,000 per year, and it will be split evenly between Helsinki City Transport (HKL) and YTV. Neste Oil’s investment in the experiment is slightly higher.
      For the bus and coach contractors, there are no expenses from taking part in the pilot project.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish oil company Neste to invest billions in biodiesel production (28.9.2006)
  Every second bus in Helsinki may soon run on second-generation biodiesel (20.4.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat