Science & Technology

New 40-seat 'Bio-Bus' runs on human waste

By T.K. Randall
November 21, 2014 ·  25 comments

Biomethane has proven to be a viable alternative to petrol and diesel. Image Credit: sxc.hu The humorously nicknamed 'poo bus' runs on biomethane gas created through the processing of rotten food and human waste.

It can travel up to 186 miles on a single tank of fuel and is set to carry passengers between Bath and Bristol Airport.The gas, which is produced at the Bristol sewage treatment works, also produces far fewer emissions than traditional fuel.

"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," said GENeco general manager Mohammed Saddiq.

The bus service is expected to transport up to 10,000 passengers each year while the treatment plant itself is producing enough biomethane to power an additional 8,300 homes.

Source: The Guardian | Comments (25)

Tags: Bio-Bus